23 April 2009
U15 Girls Schools International Head Coach Michael GALLAGHER insists the future looks bright after a second place finish in the Bob Docherty Tournament in Northern Ireland over the Easter break.
The Summerhill College Athlone tutor, says the Irish schoolgirls went into the four-team competition competing against Wales, Scotland and hosts Northern Ireland in a league style format that had seen them come away overall winners on the last two occasions and remain unbeaten since 2007.
Following draws against Scotland and Wales, before beating Northern Ireland in the final game, Gallagher's side finished the group as runners up but did maintain their unbeaten run and will also have six key members of their young side eligible to play next time around.
"Despite not coming out on top this year, the fact that we remained unbeaten, and extended that record, with such a young side, is extremely positive,"
"We played some great football in all three games and it was simply a matter of circumstances and bad luck that prevented us at least getting another win. "This competition is the highlight of the U15 calendar and a great learning curve for players as was proved this year also by the graduation of a lot of our players from last year on to the Irish U19 side this time around. "We had a particularly young side this year, which means their achievement is particularly impressive, but also the experience will stand to them for next year's tournament. "I would be particularly confident after our displays over Easter to think with the girls a year older, and, joined by a few new recruits, we will have a great chance next year," he said.
Another indication of the pedigree the Irish girls have in the tournament is the fact that winners Scotland have invited them to compete in the first ever game at their new state-of-the-art indoor astro turf national arena on May 2.
Scotland were first up for holders Ireland at the Billy Neil Complex in Belfast and, after a good start, Ireland took the lead when Cork's Clare Shine rose highest in the box from a Zoe O'Donoghue corner. Rachel Walkingshaw's second-half reply for Scotland gave both sides a share of the points on the day.
However, it was to be the same for Ireland in the second game against Wales, although under very different circumstances.
Despite going two goals down in the first half of a game they dominated and seeing no less than four players have to leave the pitch injured, Gallagher's girls rallied in the second period to earn another draw and set them up for one final effort against the hosts in the final game.
They got the win they were looking for with a 2-1 scoreline against their northern rivals, but the group was beyond their reach at that stage as Scotland came out on top overall.
Under 15 Republic of Ireland Schools: Fiona Callen, Inver College Monaghan, Shauna Newman St. Oliver’s Drogheda, Chloe Mustaki The French School, Clonskeagh, Laura Lynch Mount Mercy of Cork, Erica Cahill Ballymun Comprehensive, Denise O’Sullivan Terence McSweeney Cork, Amy Wilson North Presentation Cork, Zoe O’Donoghue St Declan’s Waterford, Clare Shine Regina Mundi Cork, Rebecca Kearney Colaiste Choilm Cork, Lauren Murphy Carrigaline Community School Cork, Niamh Walsh Santa Sabina, Dublin, Lauren Ebbs Manor House Dublin, Shauna Jackson Holy Rosary Galway, Aine Bennett Eureka Kells, Nicole Cranny, Heywood Community School, Emma Russell Holy Child Killiney, Gemma McGuinness Moville Community College
MANAGEMENT TEAM: Manager: Michael Gallagher, Summerhill College, Athlone, Assistant Manager: Margaret Mulhall, Moville Community School, Coach: Dave Collins, Alexandra College, Dublin, GK Coach: Emma Merrigan, Physio: Brona Walsh, Team Doctor: Dr. Natalia Bratu