ENGLAND 3-0 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Georgia Stanway (3), Ellie Brazil (16), Jessica Jones (57)
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U15 GIRLS SCHOOLS outfit came a gallant second in the Bob Docherty Cup yesterday following a hat/trick of goals from hot favourites England in the final of the four day International tournament:
The finale began in dramatic fashion with a goal scored by the hosts after just three minutes of action: Georgia Stanway ghosted through from midfield and swept a low cross into the top corner of Aoife McColgan's net:
A highly tactical game then followed: Lorraine Counihan's team defended deeply, trying to catch England on the break: England probed and tested, constantly trying to create an opening:
Leanne Kiernan, lone striker for the Irish team, chased and harried the defence tirelessly:
England's second goal came after sixteen minutes: Ellie Brazil took advantage of hesitation in Ireland's defence and gave McColgan no chance:
As half time approached, Ireland had a couple of half chances: Tiegan Ruddy tried a speculative long shot following a corner and Alex Kavanagh tested the English goalkeeper with a powerful drive:
The Republic started the second half with a more attacking approach: Tiegan Ruddy had chances on goal following two fine free kicks:
The English team responded with a shot which McColgan smartly tipped over: The Irish then launched a swift counter/attack and Leah Henry passed to Leanne Kiernan who came close to beating the goalkeeper:
As the English team started to increase the intensity of their attacks, inspired by Jessica Jones, a turning point occurred in the match: Niamh Cashin, the English defender, was sent off for a dangerous tackle:
The Republic of Ireland then went in search of goals: Leanne Kiernan and Saoirse Noonan both came very close but found the English goalkeeper in splendid form:
A final twist came in the closing minutes: Jessica Jones, the English midfield maestro, dribbled the ball into the penalty box and her shot at goal was handled by an Irish defender: The penalty was tucked away confidently by Jones making it 3/0:
The Republic of Ireland put in a solid display during the tournament with a nice 2/0 win against Northern Ireland on Monday evening, this followed by a hard fought 2/1 win over newcomers Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon to take the team to the final:
The Irish management of Counihan, Harvey and Rooney can be proud of what they achieved at this level:
Bob Docherty was on hand to make the presentation to the participating nations in a wonderful conclusion to the competition in a sun soaked Repton School in Derbyshire:
U15 GIRLS INTERNATIONAL SELECT:
Naoisha McALOON (Ratoath College, Meath)
Alex KAVANAGH (St: Michael's SS, Finglas)
Chloe MCNAMEE (St: Oliver's Post Primary, Oldcastle)
Ciara HICKEY (Spanish Point SS, Clare)
Ciara MAHER (Coláiste de hIde, Tallaght)
Heather PAYNE (Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe)
Katie BURDIS (Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown)
Lauryn O'CALLAGHAN (St: MacDara's CC, Templeogue)
Leah HENRY (Presentation SS, Listowel)
Leah REYBET DEGAT (Sutton Park School)
Leanne KIERNAN (Bailieborough CS)
Niamh FARRELLY (St: Joseph's College, Lucan)
Sabrina MCCARTHY (St: Caimin's CS, Shannon)
Saoirse NOONAN (Christ the King Girls' SS, Cork)
Shania McGONIGLE (Carndonagh CS)
Aoife McCOLGAN (Carndonagh CS)
Sinead FARRELL (St: Joseph's College, Summerhill, Athlone)
Tiegan RUDDY (St: Wolstan's CS, Celbridge)
MANAGEMENT TEAM:
Lorraine Counihan, Manager (Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant)
Alistair Harvey, Coach (St: Kilian's DSD, Clonskeagh)
David Rooney, GK Coach
Angela Kenneally, Physio
RESULTS (All games take place in Repton School, Derbyshire)
Bob Docherty Cup
England 2/0 Wales at 5:00pm
Republic of Ireland 2/0 Northern Ireland at 5:00pm
Monday, April 14
Bob Docherty Cup
Wales 0/6 Scotland at 10:00am
Republic of Ireland 2/1 Slovakia at 3:00pm
Tuesday, April 15
Bob Docherty Cup
England 2/2 Scotland at 10:00am (England advance 4/3 on pens)
Slovakia 2/0 Northern Ireland at 2:30pm
Wednesday, April 16
Bob Docherty Cup
5th - 6th place play/off (two teams that come 3rd in their group) at 9:00am
Northern Ireland 2/0 Wales
3rd - 4th place play/off (two teams that come 2nd in their group) at 9:00am
Scotland 0/0 Slovakia
Final (between the two group winners) at 10:25am
England 3/0 Republic of Ireland
Thursday, April 17
Winner: England
Runner Up: Republic of Ireland
Third Place: (Joint) Scotland & Slovakia
Firth Place: Northern Ireland
Sixth Place: Wales