Salthill Devon`s excellent grounds at Drom hosted the Bob Docherty FAI Schools Girl`s Internationals over the weekend 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 their 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 3 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 `keeper Alice Harkness 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 is their fourth success in the competition since it began in 2002.
The Irish girls opened their campaign on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Scotland, Ciara Grant notched the opening half match winner with a close range shot.
With Dora Gorman revelling on her home ground, the Irish side had the better chances throughout with Rebecca Kearney hitting the crossbar, while in the second half Niamh O`Dea twice went close to increasing their advantage:
Rebecca Kearney then hit a hat trick as Wales were demolished 4-0 in Ireland`s second outing on Saturday:
The Cork schoolgirl gave the home side an interval advantage, as she finished well after a strong run into the box:
Kearney then added two more on the resumption as she cracked home a 25 yard effort for the second and then completed her hat trick with a fine drive past Ellis Bethan:
Donegal native, Tanya Kennedy who was denied an earlier breakthrough by the woodwork notched Ireland’s fourth when she headed home an Avril Kilkelly corner:
Neighbours Northern Ireland picked up just a single point from the three match programme as Siobhan Bell finished off a Kendra McMullan corner from close range to give them a 1-1 draw with Wales in their opening contest:
In their second game they were beaten 2-0 by a Scottish side for whom Eilish McSorley got both goals:
After the final game, Irish captain Olivia Smartt was presented with the winning trophy by FAI Schools Chairman, Tom Bolger:
Afterwards Irish manager, Roscommon native Michael Gallagher expressed his delight with the success: "Obviously to retain the title was our goal and the manner in which we achieved it was most pleasing: Without a doubt the girls deserved their success and I am delighted that all eighteen in the squad played a part at some stage:"
"Now to keep three clean sheets was an achievement, but in fairness to all we prepared as professionally as we could and I`ve no doubt that a number of these player`s will go on to play at higher levels of international football":
Gallagher finally added "the facilities here are top class and it only added to our ability to achieve success and I want to thank all those involved in organising a great tournament":
Republic of Ireland:Niamh Mailey (Deele College, Raphoe), Joanna Byrne (Eureka Kells), Olivia Smartt (Mount Sackville, Dublin), Jessica Gleeson (St Angela`s, Waterford), Megan Cambell (Our Lady`s College, Drogheda), Ciara Grant (Loreto Convent, Letterkenny), Niamh O`Dea (Scoil Muire, Ennistymon), Dora Gorman (Dominican College, Galway), Tanya Kennedy (St Columba’s, Stranorlar), Rebecca Kearney (St Angela`s College, Cork), Stacey Freyne (Balla Secondary School, Mayo), Avril Kilkelly (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Erica Cahill (Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun), Ciara O`Brien (St Angela`s, Waterford), Aileen Gilroy (St Patrick`s College, Mayo), Kellie Allen (Eureka Kells), Kate Keeney (Abbey Voc School, Donegal), Emer Cassidy (Malahide Community School):
Manager: Michael Gallagher (Summerhill College, Athlone):
Asst Manager: Margaret Mulhall (Moville Community College, Donegal):
Coach: Dave Collins (Alexandra College, Dublin):
Results:
Friday 11 April
Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Scotland
Northern Ireland 1 – 1 Wales
Saturday 12 April
Republic of Ireland 4 – 0 Wales
Scotland 3 – 0 Northern Ireland
Sunday 13 April
Scotland 5 – 0 Wales
Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Northern Ireland