The U15 Girls International squad will travel to Wales today ahead of the Bob Doherty Tournament which will take place in Cardiff from 12-14 April:
Managed by St: Flannan’s College’s Claire Wehrley, the Irish schoolgirls will enter into the four team competition competing against Scotland, Northern Ireland and host nation Wales in a league style format that has seen them remain unbeaten since 2007:
The Irish girls have an incredible record in the tournament as they have captured the crown no less than five times since its inception in 2002: The girls won the opening event in Ballymena and also won in 2005 when the event returned to the North and then again for the third time in 2007 when they travelled to Wales: The highlight for the Irish was a win on home soil with victory in Galway in 2008: And they go out this week to defend their title after a marvellous victory last season in Scotland:
U15 International Coach Jason Carey insists that they have a good chance of winning this time around: "The girls have prepared well in the lead up to this competition and the new management are aiming for a victory this week as we try and defend the title: It will be a tough test for the players but I have no doubt they will try their best to compete at the highest level”
Wehrley will be strengthened by the fact that two experienced players will return from last season: These include the impressive Amber Barrett and Amy O’Connor: The presence of these key players should prove influential in Ireland’s success this year with the experience gained last time around:
The manager can take comfort in the fact that there is a significant amount of talented newcomers on the scene: No doubt that this tournament will pave the way for future success for some of these youngsters: Amber Barrett, Aisling Frawley, Aoife O’Neill, Nadine Crawford and Eimear Lafferty all hail from strong soccer schools that have progressed to All Ireland glory: While Cadhla Gillen, Katie Carter, Lisa Casserly, Megan Connolly, Amy O’Connor, Michelle O’Regan, Mary Tyrrell, Ciara Rossister, Rebekah Carroll and Rachel Doyle are all influential players with their respective clubs: Our Lady’s Grove, Goatstown sees the introduction of duo stars Amy Corcoran and Avril Brierley having missed out on selection to the Leinster team for the Interprovincial Tournament last November: The girls play their club football for Broadford Rovers and their addition to the panel will strengthen an already well structured side:
Ulster trio Crawford, Lafferty and Barrett lead their Province to victory in the Interprovincial tournament last November and proved their worth during the three day event and thus merited their selection onto the International panel:
Assistant Coach, Richelle O’Neill from Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore insists that it was a difficult task in cutting the panel down to just 18 with the remarkable pool of players at their disposal: O’Neill insisted that “their new recruits will savour the opportunity to play at the highest level representing their school and will ensure that the team will do themselves proud this year”:
Host nation Wales will be the Republic’s first round opponents as they kick off their campaign on Tuesday afternoon: A hat trick of goals from Ireland secured the points with a 3-0 victory: A fabulous result last year to instill confidence in the team: The Irish will be hoping that faith repeats itself next time around:
Wednesday afternoon will see the girls face the industrious Scottish in what should prove to be a very entertaining encounter: Ireland managed a closely fought 1/0 win against the defending Champions as they hosted the event in Glasgow last season:
The final game of the series on Thursday morning will see the Republic face their northern rivals: Ireland will be hoping that they are still in contention for the title and this game could prove to be the highlight of the tournament with plenty at stake for both teams:
A 4-1 result last year against the opposition was an excellent result for the Republic of Ireland having battled hard to gain the upper hand: The Irish will be well aware of the threat posed by the North and should be on their guard in a possibly crucial game for Wehrley’s side:
Wehrley and her colleagues, Carey and O’Neill will be taking the competition very seriously but has stressed to the players to relax and enjoy the occasion: A win away from home would be the highlight of the year for the team having worked so hard for the past four months: The experienced trio will be hoping that their endevours will reap dividends come the conclusion of the competition on Thursday afternoon:
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U15’s: Cadhla Gillen (Colaiste Iognaid), Katie Carter (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill), Lisa Casserly (Seamount College, Kinvara), Aisling Frawley (St: Angela’s Ursuline Convent, Waterford),Megan Connolly (Christ King Girls’ SS, Cork), Ciara Mc Namara (Colaiste an Chroi Naofa, Cork), Michelle O’Regan (Colaiste Na Toirbhirte, Bandon), Aoife O’Neill (St: Flannan’s College, Ennis), Mary Tyrrell (Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy), Ciara Rossiter (Presentation College, Wexford), Rebekah Carroll (Confey College), Rachel Doyle (St: Joseph’s of Cluny), Amy Corcoran and Avril Brierley (both Our Lady’s Grove, Jesus & Mary College, Goatstown), Nadine Crawford (Loreto Convent, Letterkenny), Eimear Lafferty (Moville CC), Amber Barrett (Loreto Community School, Milford), Amy O’Connor (St: Vincent’s Secondary School, Cork)
MANAGEMENT TEAM: Manager: Claire Wehrley, St: Flannan’s College, Ennis, Head Coach: Jason Carey, St: MacDara’s, Templeogue, Assistant Coach: Richelle O’Neill, Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore, Physio: Julie Clifford, Team Doctor: Dr: Fionnuala Quigley
FIXTURES:
Tuesday, 12 April (University of Glamorgan Playing Fields, Treforest) KO 2pm
Republic of Ireland v Wales
Wednesday, 13 April (venue as above) KO 2pm
Republic of Ireland v Scotland
Thursday, 14 April (venue as above) KO 10am
Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland