Republic of Ireland 3-0 Scotland
Gemma McGuinness (2), Katie McCabe (3), Amber Barrett (45)
Following on from the tremendous success of winning the Bob Docherty Cup last week, the Republic of Ireland U15 Girls Schools team celebrated yet another victory with a comprehensive win over Scotland with a hat trick of goals in an invitational friendly yesterday which was hosted by Curragh Athletic FC in Killygordon:
On the score sheet for the Republic of Ireland were the Donegal pairing of Gemma McGuinness (Moville CC) and Amber Barrett (Loreto CS, Milford) as well as the impressive Katie McCabe (St: Paul’s SS, Greenhills):
Ireland were without the services of U17 International Clare Shine and Mount Mercy College student Ciara O’Connell as injury ruled both players out: However Manager, Michael Gallagher had drafted in Tipperary star Edel O’Dwyer and Letterkenny’s Lauren Harper into the Irish set up for the final game of the season:
Captained by St: Kilian’s student Chloe Mustaki, the Irish team made a perfect start to the campaign with a goal in the first 90 seconds: Mustaki played a pivotal role in the build up to the first goal with a long ball out of defence for McGuinness to run onto: The local girl made a blistering run forward and cut into the centre and struck a lovely shot to the bottom corner: Megan Cunningham was beaten for pace as the ball flew past the diving keepers right:
A minute later, the home side extended their lead as the Irish were awarded a penalty after Katie McCabe was impeded enroute to goal: The Tallaght youngster stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake as she slotted past Cunningham for Ireland’s second of the afternoon:
McGuinness and McCabe were causing all sorts of problems for the visitors early on as Nicole McPhee, Kathryn Pender and Mary Claire Steele were under pressure in the Scots half:
It’s a testament to the Irish defence that they only conceded once in four games and this was evident as Scotland tried in vain to get back into the game:
Nicole Cranny had a quiet quarter for the Irish between the posts as Vice Captain Shauna Newman, Amy O’Connor, Carys Johnson and Aine Bennett averted any attack on goal:
Bennett had in fact secured an All Ireland GAA medal 24 hours previously as Eureka Secondary School in Kells were crowned All Ireland Junior B Schools Champions having beaten Ulster Champions St: Paul’s Bessbrook in the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda:
The visitors got a foothold on proceedings on the half hour mark and Eve Hunter was unlucky not to get one back for the tartan army before half time, her shot just wide of the mark:
After the interval, Scotland started the brighter and Caroline Richardson played a near perfect pass to Rachel Malcahy down the left wing: The striker blasted the ball inches past the post much to the relief of Laois keeper Nicole Cranny:
Ireland responded moments later as Mustaki played a high ball over the top for Longford star Aoife Darcy to connect with: The Mean Scoil Mhuire student lobbed substitute keeper Anna Vincent from distance but Darcy was unlucky to see her effort float over the crossbar:
Ireland’s third goal of the afternoon came ten minutes in with the imposing figure of Emily Cahill who dominated much of Ireland’s midfield possession, turning supplier as she executed a great ball in space: Striker Amber Barrett was first to react and made a dazzling run past two defenders to smack the ball into the top corner:
The three goal cushion saw Manager, Michael Gallagher awarded the opportunity to play all his players as they implemented a roll on, roll off substitution system: Niamh Kelly (St Louis CC), goalkeeper Richelle Timothy (Castlerea CS), Edel O’Dwyer (Presentation SS) and Keara Cormican (Presentation College, Athenry) were introduced
Midway through the second half, Scotland’s Laura Pickington made a great run into the box but her strike could only rattle the side netting:
Moyne student, Michelle Farrell played in Niamh Kelly shortly after her introduction but the chance evaded her as Countney McAvoy intercepted the ball at the crucial moment to spare Scotland’s blushes:
Sarah Rowe and Keara Cormican linked well to feed the ball through for Aisling Reynolds but she couldn’t connect as the ball shot agonizing past the right post:
In the dying minutes of injury time, new recruit Lauren Harper was unfortunate not to register a score as her effort sailed over the upright:
There was jubilant scenes after the game, as Ireland maintained their unbeaten run: Manager, Michael Gallagher was on hand to thank the girls and their families for the enormous contribution they demonstrated throughout the season and it was great for the team to end on a high: Gallagher stated, “The Scottish team are an excellent footballing side and we knew going into the match that it would be a battle: We only secured the Bob Docherty Cup with a 1/0 win against Scotland last week so we knew they would be up for the challenge today: It’s great to end our season with a win and I’m delighted for the girls”:
Moville teacher, Margaret Mulhall who is Assistant Manager was delighted with the team’s performance, she insisted, “the girls were excellent today and we were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity for all players to contribute to today’s success: It’s a great honour for the girls to represent their schools at International level and something they will never forget”:
It has been a remarkable few days for girls’ soccer in Ireland: Coach Dave Collins injected, “The FAI Women’s U17s have demonstrated the high standard in women’s football in this country with an historic victory over Sweden on the same day that our U15’s won the Bob Docherty Cup: The majority of that U17’s panel came through the Schools system which is a great advertisement of the work we do at Schools level: The girls are given their first taste of International football with us and we are delighted to see so many players maintain their high standards of football by securing a place on Noel King’s team: We have no doubt that some of our U15 stars featured today will follow in the footsteps of Dora Gorman, Rebecca Kearney, Tanya Kennedy, Ciara Grant and Aileen Gilroy to name but a few”:
SCOTLAND: Megan Campbell, Stephanie Knox, Nicole McPhee, Hayle Crosbie, Kathryn Pender, Courtney McAvoy, Abbi Grant, Caroline Wier, Carolina Richardson, Laura Pilkington, Rina Brown, Mary Claire Steele, Niamh Cluchton, Eve Hunter, Anna Vincent, Leigh Michel, Rachel Malchey:
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U15’s: Nicole Cranny (Heywood Community School), Aine Bennett (Eureka Secondary School, Kells), Chloe Mustaki (St: Kilian’s Deutsche Schule), Emily Cahill (Newpark Comprehensive School), Shauna Newman (St Oliver’s Community College), Carys Johnson (Colaiste Muire, Buttevant), Sarah Rowe (St: Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina), Aisling Reynolds (Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford), Niamh Kelly (St Louis Community College), Michelle Farrell (Moyne Community School), Katie McCabe (St: Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhills), Ciara O’Connell (Mount Mercy College), Keara Cormican (Presentation College, Athenry), Gemma McGuinness (Moville Community College), Aoife Darcy (Mean Scoil Mhuire), Richelle Timothy (Castlerea Community School), Amber Barrett (Loreto Community School, Milford), Amy O’Connor (St: Vincent’s Secondary School, Cork), Edel O’Dwyer (Presentation Secondary School), Lauren Harper (Loreto Secondary School, Donegal):
MANAGEMENT TEAM: Manager: Michael Gallagher, St: Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Athlone, Assistant Manager: Margaret Mulhall, Moville Community School, Coach: Dave Collins, Alexandra College, Dublin, GK Coach: Ian Carry, Physio: David Kieran, Team Doctor: Dr: Tom Boyce: