Berkeley names squad ahead of Bob Docherty Cup

HEAD COACH RICHARD BERKELEY (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) has named a squad of 18 players for the Bob Docherty Cup which will be held in Greenisland FC, Carrickfergus from Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17.

The squad have enjoyed a few trial games in the lead up to the tournament and the girls have done very well in the run up to the International series.

They played Northern Ireland in an International Friendly last month, and managed a victory at Rock Celtic FC, Dundalk. St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh student Matylda Stelmaszek grabbed a first half brace as well as Skye Barrett’s (Maynooth Post Primary School) effort late on, to win out 3-1 in the end.

Berkeley is in the unique position of welcoming back five players from last season. He has both keepers fit for action as Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow) and Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir) will fight it out for a starting eleven spot while Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) and Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry) are all in outstanding form again this year.

The likes of Haily Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells) and Halle Harcourt (Larkin Community College) have further International experience having lined out for the Irish Under 16s in recent months. Both keepers Doyle Farrington, Doyle and Dallaghan and Milton have also been capped at the older age group so you’d envisage plenty of experience in that sextuplet to marshal the troops for this important test.

It's fantastic to see Ava Kelly (Tallaght Community School) and Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) follow in their sisters footsteps with Ella featuring in 2023 for the Republic of Ireland Schools while International Schools’ Player of the Year, Hannah lined out for Berkeley’s crew in 2022.

Berkeley has an impressive record in this competition. The Tallaght native had a wonderful introduction at the helm capturing a double two years in a row with the Republic netting the John Read Trophy and Bob Docherty Cup in 2018 and 2019.

His winning streak was hampered in March 2020 when he lost the John Read Trophy to England in Abbotstown. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit a week later and put a halt to all Schools International football.

The Head Coach returned in 2022 to ensure success for a third consecutive year of action with a glorious victory in Newcastle.

Previous players in this tournament to feature in recent years include Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh CS),  Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown CS), Ellen Molly (Presentation SS, Kilkenny) and Abbie Larkin (Ringsend College).

As well as more established Internationals such as Katie McCABE (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Amber BARRETT (Loreto CS, Milford) and Schools Captain Chloe MUSTAKI (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh). Katie’s sister Lauryn also lined out for the Schools select representing Tallaght Community School in 2022.

The pedigree of footballers will definitely excite as the four Nations do battle for the coveted 2025 honours.

The Republic of Ireland Schools will take on holders England on Monday afternoon, followed by 2023 Champions Scotland on Tuesday morning while they’ll conclude the series on Thursday morning against hosts Northern Ireland.

All games will be available to watch for a fee of £8 each via https://www.247.tv/live/schoolsport

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Ruby Boland (Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara), Laila Hurley (St. MacDara’s Community College, Templeogue), Matylda Stelmaszek (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh), Halle Harcourt (Larkin Community College), Kyra Gavigan (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Leah O’Leary Callender (Ashtown School, Cork), Ellen Goggin (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Ruby Norris, Sarah Doyle (both Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Ava Kelly (Tallaght Community School), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Skye Barrett (Maynooth Post Primary School), Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf), Hailey Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells)

MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), Coach Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Coach Paddy McDaid (Finn Valley College, Stranorlar), Coach Mia O’Connell (SETU Carlow), GK Coach Emmet Peyton (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Physio Cianna Hickey, Equipment Manager Joan Croke

FIXTURES

Monday, April 14 | Match Day 1

Scotland vs Northern Ireland KO 11am Greenisland FC

England vs Republic of Ireland KO 3.30pm Greenisland FC

Tuesday, April 15 | Match Day 2

Republic of Ireland  vs Scotland KO 11am Greenisland FC

Northern Ireland vs England KO 3.30pm Greenisland FC

Wednesday, April 16 | Rest Day

Thursday, April 17 | Match Day 3

England vs Scotland KO 10.30am Ulster University

Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland KO 10.30am Greenisland FC

SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour

PREVIOUS WINNING SEASONS FOR THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

2010

In 2010, the Republic of Ireland were crowned Bob Docherty Cup Champions by defeating the reigning Champions and host nation Scotland in Glasgow University to take the elusive title. A solitary goal courtesy of Moville Community College Gemma McGUINNESS ten minutes from time was enough to clinch the title.

Instrumental in the team’s success that year was team mates Katie McCABE (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Sarah ROWE St. Mary’s SS, Ballina), Amber BARRETT (Loreto CS, Milford) and Schools Captain Chloe MUSTAKI (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh).

The squad were led by experience as Michael GALLAGHER (St. Joseph’s College, Athlone) managed the Class of 2010 alongside his two assistants Margaret MULHALL (Moville Community College) and Dave COLLINS (Alexandra College, Dublin).

2008

Salthill Devon FC, Galway hosted the Bob Docherty Cup and for Manager Michael Gallagher it was a very successful campaign as the Republic of Ireland retained their title by winning all their three games.

Having seen off the challenges of Scotland and Wales in their opening two contests, the Republic of Ireland clinched the title with a 2-0 success over Northern Ireland in the final game on Sunday morning.

Ireland made the perfect start in a contest in which they only needed a point to clinch the title, when Rebecca KEARNEY brought her tally for the series to four with the opener after just three minutes.

The home side continued to build on that cushion and just before the break, made it 2-0. On this occasion a Jessica GLEESON free kick was saved by the keeper Nicole Adams and Tanya KENNEDY was following up to tap in the rebound from close range.

The resumption saw the visitors enjoy a little more possession, but seldom did they look like breaching the home side’s rearguard.

The victory gave Ireland success in the International series for the second year in a row and they did so on this occasion without conceding a goal.

Indeed it was their fourth success in the competition since it began in 2002.

2007

The squad travelled to Wrexham and the Republic of Ireland won the prestigious event which was the Republic’s third victory in six years.

Manager Priya THAKARAR welcomed back three of the previous season’s squad who played in Scotland with Aisling DYER enjoying her third season between the posts. Yvonne CAHILL and Becky WALSH were the other two inclusions from that squad.

Northern Ireland were late withdrawals from the tournament which saw Wales meet Scotland on day one. The Republic of Ireland faced Scotland the following morning and the home side, Wales provided the opposition in the final outing. Two stunning wins for Thakarar’s charges was enough to see them collect the title.

2005

Ballymena was the venue for the event and Ireland had high hopes of success given the excellent quality of preparation put in by the team and the management.

The team began their campaign in style with a fine 3-1 win over holders Scotland.

In very windy conditions the Irish were quick to settle and the opening goal arrived inside the first ten minutes when Hannah CALLAGHAN broke through the Scottish defence and slipped the ball under the advancing Kirsty Eddis.

The Irish doubled their advantage just after the hour when Niamh MULCAHY converted from the penalty spot and substitute Yvonne CAHILL made sure a minute later when she rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home.

Manager Margaret O’REILLY used the cushion to give all the players a run out in the latter stages of the game and though Kim Ogle did manage a consolation goal for Scotland, the result was never in doubt

In the other game, a strong Welsh side easily defeated the hosts four nil

Day two saw a difficult assignment against a Welsh team that had brushed aside the challenge of Northern Ireland in their opening game.

The game began well for the Irish with Kaylie KOENTOPP and Hannah CALLAGHAN showing bright touches in attack.

However the opening goal was a thing of beauty. Callaghan picked up the ball just inside the Welsh half, turned one defender before charging past three more and calmly fired the ball past the goalkeeper.

A second half penalty from Koentopp put the Irish in complete control before a mistake nu the goalkeeper allowed Megan NUGENT to fire home from close range to secure the win.

The final game on Saturday against Northern Ireland proved to a tough encounter with the hosts playing for pride and a dogged resistance kept the game scoreless until just before before half-time when Sinead CULLEN burst down the right, into the area and fired home over the keeper in the far corner. A goal in the final minute of the game was no more then the Irish deserved as Niamh MULCAHY fired a thirty yard free kick to the top corner.

2002

The staff that successfully managed the Republic of Ireland Schools squad in Ballymena included Donal CONWAY (Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont), Margaret O’REILLY (Loreto SS, Letterkenny), Joe STAFFORD (Skerries CC), Joe Boyle (FAI National Co-ordinator) and Niamh Spratt (Women’s Administrator).

A number of players involved went on to represent the Republic of Ireland at underage International level and Sara LAWLOR (St. Joseph’s College, Lucan), played a number of times for the Irish Senior squad.

The Republic of Ireland established themselves as powerhouses that season with victories over Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Under 16s.