For the second year running the Republic of Ireland's Under 15 Girls Schools side had a disappointing result to their border rivals in the final game of the Bob Docherty Cup after they were beaten 1-2 by Northern Ireland on day four of the tournament which was held at the impressive AUL Complex this afternoon (April 5, 2012)
The Republic of Ireland made the perfect start to their campaign when they defeated the Metropolitan Girls League (MGL) FAI Selection on Monday evening having come from a goal behind to score the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game to take the match to penalties: Jason Carey’s side remained calm and confident and this confidence paid dividends as they emerged victories on a 4/2 score/line following the dreaded spot kicks:
Day 2 of the tournament saw reigning Champions Northern Ireland take on Scotland while Wales and England did battle:
The Republic of Ireland management trio of Jason Carey (St: Mac Dara’s CC, Templeogue), Richelle O’Neill (Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore) and Margaret Mulhall (Moville CC) watched on in anticipation as Northern Ireland began the defence of their title against a strong Scottish side:
A five goal thriller ensued with Noel Mitchell’s side enjoying the spoils and thus ensuring Northern Ireland’s quest for the two in a row: The Northerners scored with minutes to go in the second half to edge past Scotland 3/2 and take the vital three points on offer:
Northern Ireland got off to the perfect start following just three minutes of play: The versatile Aimee Mackin sent a cracker of a shot past Scotland keeper Lauren Dawson to open proceedings:
An excellent reply from Scotland saw them draw level as Brogan Anderson crossed the ball into Cassie Cowper who made no mistake with the header:
Scotland then found their rhythm as they took the lead with a beautiful chip shot from Haylie Sinclair:
It wasn’t long before Northern Ireland regrouped and clinched an equalizer before the interval: It was another powerful strike from Aimee Mackin:
The second half started quickly as the two teams went looking for the lead: Both sides had some excellent chances but neither could capitalize until the final two minutes of the game:
It was Aimee Mackin again who scored another well taken goal for her afternoon hat/trick:
The second of Tuesday’s fixtures saw the game go again to penalties as Wales and England ended the game all square (1/1) following normal time: England were in remarkable form as they secured the points with a 4/5 result following the dead ball situation:
NORTHERN IRELAND just edging the league table following day two of competitive play with England and the Republic of Ireland in hot pursuit:
The Republic of Ireland’s second and penultimate game of the tournament kicked off on a blustery Wednesday morning:
The wind provided an immense challenge for both teams but a must win situation added to the day’s events: Carey’s crew had control of the ball and pressed into the English half at every opportunity: The tactic was attack and that they did: Megan Connolly was a danger feared by the opposition and Sabrina Roach was given the task of marking Connolly:
Moville’s Roma McLaughlin served Christ King student Connolly from the right wing following a burst of speed down the flanks: However Connolly was too eager and the flag went up for offside with five minutes played:
Three minutes later, the Republic of Ireland Schools side were awarded a free kick: Coláiste Dhulaigh student Countney Higgins crossed into the lively Roma McLaughlin in space: Connolly waited patiently on the left side of midfield to put a final touch on the ball which was delivered with perfection: Connolly gracefully placed the ball past the keeper into the net to provide the Republic with a much merited first of the afternoon:
The partnership of McLaughlin and Connolly was working well for the Republic: Another chance was created for Connolly who spied the ball with patience and precision however missed it with her right peg:
Only moments later Swords student Megan Lynch had a superior chance on goal however her shot breezed past the post much to the frustration of the large contingency that watched on:
The Republic of Ireland gifted a free kick to the English as they eagerly awaited a chance to attack the goal which Holy Family SS student Brooke Dunne protected: Alysha Stojko/Down endeavoured to reap the benefits of Ireland’s mistake but her shot went right of the post:
England’s finest efforts yielded little success for an equaliser as the interval approached:
Listowel native Savannah McCarthy dominated midfield and created immense pressure for the English defence which proved too difficult in the end:
England started the brighter in the second period: Asia Harbour Brown was gifted two free kicks in quick succession following the first ten minutes played: Neither of her shots was to benefit the English after the first ball was cleared well over Dunne’s crossbar, while her second attempt was delivered straight into the goalkeepers hands:
The Republic of Ireland’s back four proved too difficult for the attacking prowess of the English girls:
Megan Connolly again rattled the English net following some great link play with Munster colleague Savannah McCarthy: The final score 2/0 to the Republic of Ireland:
The Scots got the first three points of their campaign with a solid performance over the FAI select (MGL) with a 2/0 advantage in the second of the day’s fixtures AND Noel Mitchell’s Northern Ireland proved too strong for Wales as they gained a 3/1 win in the remaining fixture of the day:
The reigning Champions still well in contention to retain the title with just the host’s, the Republic of Ireland providing the opposition at the final stages:
It was a fast paced affair as the final game kicked off in the Dublin sunshine on day four of the tournament:
The Republic of Ireland created the first chance of the game as a snap shot from Megan Connolly saw her effort spring over the woodwork: Connolly was proving difficult to manage as the North attempted to scorn her advances:
There were some solid chances for the Republic of Ireland outfit as Roma McLaughlin and Megan Connolly linked up well together however Emma McFarland and Amy McGivern were equally equipped to manage the duo’s attempts on goal:
The midfield tussle was proving entertaining as Savannah McCarthy and Chloe McCarron contested every ball: Carey’s contingency looked the more impressive and their hard work up front was rewarded as Connolly was brought down outside the box: McCarthy struck the ball excellently but her effort flew wide of the target:
Northern Ireland then went on the counter attack as Chloe McGlade and Annie Timoney linked up well to cut through the Republic’s midfield:
With just two minutes remaining of the first half, it was Christ the King Girls SS star Megan Connolly that missed a wonderful opportunity to advance the Republic’s stalemate: Connolly found herself with time and space outside the box and sent a rocket of a shot goal ward: Keeper Jacqueline Burns was on hand to make a terrific save:
The deadlocked remained with the first half reaching a pulsating conclusion:
The second period saw much more of the same as a high quality game developed:
It was first blood to Northern Ireland as they were awarded a penalty mid way through the second half:
Chloe McGlade appeared to have been brought down inside the area: Up stepped goal machine Aimee Mackin who coolly slotted the ball down the middle of the goal passed Brooke Dunne:
Subsequently Ireland went on the attack to level proceedings however a mix up in midfield gave possession back to the opposition: A string of decent passes saw Chloe McGlade slot it pass the keeper to increase their lead to two:
The Republic of Ireland remained alert to the possibility of a comeback and dominated much of the possession in the final third:
Their hard work was rewarded late in the game when Ferrybank’s Zoe Power latched onto a ball from Courtney Higgins to pull one back for the hosts:
The Republic of Ireland were awarded a corner deep into injury time to add to the excitement of the tie but unfortunately Carey’s side couldn’t convert the opportunity:
The Republic of Ireland will have felt unlucky not to have forced a draw however the Champions hold onto their title for another year: Final score at the AUL, 1/2 to Northern Ireland, a second consecutive victory in the tournament for a Noel Mitchell’s side
In the day’s other matches, Scotland saw off England with an excellent performance to win 4/0: While Wales narrowly defeated the FAI Select (Metropolitan Girls League) side 2/1:
END
Reports & images courtesy of Lorraine Counihan and Dean Brownless
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U15’s: Brooke Dunne (Holy Family SS, Newbridge), Keeva Keenan (St: Michael’s SS, Finglas), Courtney Higgins (Coláiste Dhulaigh PP School, Coolock), Lauren Kealy (St: Wolstan’s CS, Celbridge), Zoe Power (Abbey CS, Ferrybank) Emma Byrne (Jesus & Mary College, Our Lady’s Grove), Roma McLaughlin (Moville CC), Savannah McCarthy (Presentation SS, Listowel) Megan Connolly (Christ the King Girls’ SS, Cork) Sarah Jane McDonald (Moville CC), Megan Lynch (St: Finian’s CC, Swords), Chloe Murphy (Holy Family CS, Rathcoole), Aoife Walsh (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Galway) Danielle Caldwell (Davitts College, Castlebar) Evvie Lowndes (Colaiste Iognaid, Gaillimh), Lucy Ashmore (St: Gerald’s School, Bray), Eleanor Ryan Doyle (St: Joseph’s College, Lucan), Nicole Gordon (Carndonagh CS):
MANAGEMENT: Jason Carey (St: Mac Dara’s CC, Templeogue), Richelle O’Neill (Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore), Margaret Mulhall (Moville CC), Gareth Coakley (GK Coach), Dr: Fionnuala Quigley (Doctor), Ciara Fannan (Physio), Dean Brownless (Team Administrator):
NORTHERN IRELAND: Jacqueline Burns, Emma McFarland, Hannah Doherty, Amy McGivern, Clara Mulvenna, Abbie Burnett, Chelsea Myles, Chloe McCarron, Chloe McGlade, Annie Timoney, Aimee Mackin, Shannon McAuley, Amy Burden, Victoria Carleton, Taylor Wright, Samantha Kelly, Sarah Connolly, Naomi Morton:
SCOTLAND: Lauren Dawson, Taylor Watson, Rachel Ross, Cassie Cowper, Courtney Whyte, Niamh Johnstone, Georgie Rafferty, Haylie Sinclair, Alyshia Walker, Abigail Harrison, Cailin Mitchie, Erin Cuthbert, Amy Lynch, Lia Tweedie, Becky Flaherty, Brogan Anderson, Louise Brown, Carla Jackson:
ENGLAND: Megan Clarkson, Chelsea Jukes, Sheldon Ashton, Courtney Owen, Chloe Chapman, Honor Cantrell, Rebecca Lloyd, Rhian O’Callaghan, Shayla Burgess, Emily Marsh, Sabrina Roach, Molly Wheeler, Amber Tullet, Alysha Stojka/Down, Asis Harbour Brown, Holly Jackman, Deyger Zekai, Evie Clarke
FAI SELECT (Metropolitan Girls League): Stacey Grimes, Becky Cassin, Cliona Crammond, Georgina Canavan, Amy Corcoran, Rachel Doyle, Shauna Bates, Hayley Nolan, Olivia Flanagan, Aisling Driver, Helen Doyle, Riona Cullen, Naoimi Clare, Jess Corr, Shianne Swarez, Jessica Gargan, Jessica Johnston, Aisling Byrne, Jess Hunt, Niamh Barnes, Chelsea Spain, Avril Brierley
WALES: Erin Brenna, Mared Jones, Olivia Fuller, Hannah Sluck, Lowri Ridings, Fiona Dodge, Nia Jones, Shauna Pentney, Charlie Estcourt, Kelsey Davies, Francesca Curteis, Laura Mitchell, Chloe Hughes, Emily Curteis, Louisha Doran, Katy Hosford, Lois Regan, Mollie Jones
BOB DOCHERTY CUP RESULTS
Monday, April 2
Republic of Ireland 1/1 FAI Select (MGL) (Republic win 4/2 on pens)
Tuesday, April 3
Scotland 2/3 Northern Ireland
Wales 1/1 England (England win 4/5 on pens)
Wednesday, April 4
Republic of Ireland 2/0 England
Scotland 2/0 FAI Select (MGL)
Wales 1/3 Northern Ireland
Thursday, April 5
Scotland 4/0 England
Wales 2/1 FAI Select (MGL)
Republic of Ireland 1/2 Northern Ireland
WINNERS: Northern Ireland