FAI SCHOOLS U15 GIRLS' INTERNATIONAL development squad depart for the UK tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, April 13, 2014 in preparation for this year's Bob Docherty Cup
The tournament will be held over four competitive days as England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Slovakia to battle to claim the silverware this season:
The nations will be split into two groups of three with the Republic of Ireland playing 2012 winners Northern Ireland and newcomers Slovakia: This will be a steer test for Counihan and her squad:
Limerick native, Counihan was involved in the management setup last season so she is well aware of the high standards that need to be maintained: Her first year in charge has been a challenge but one that she has relished: The preparations have been going well with the girls and Head Coach Alistair Harvey (St: Kilian's Deutsch Schule, Clonskeagh) has been impressed with what he has seen so far:
'We have played a number of competitive friendly matches which have been great learning curve for the girls: We know the games will be very competitive but we're hopefully of a result against Northern Ireland and you never know what will happen against Slovakia'
The Irish girls have an excellent record in this 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: The last triumph was in Glasgow in 2010 under the stewardship of Michael Gallagher (Summerhill College, Athlone)
Last season saw the Republic of Ireland pick up runners up spot in the tournament and Counihan will be looking to replicate this for Derbyshire, if not to go one better! The squad will be strengthened by the return of two notable recruits as Lauryn O'Callaghan (St: MacDara's Community College, Templeogue) and Niamh Farrelly (St: Joseph's College, Lucan) make a welcome return
The Republic of Ireland's campaign will commence on Monday evening as they take on counterparts Northern Ireland while host nation England are set to play Wales in the other group game that evening:
Tuesday will see the Republic of Ireland line out against newcomers Slovakia which should prove a worthwhile exercise for Lorraine Counihan's side: While defending Champions Scotland will play Wales in the afternoon fixture:
Wednesday will see a rest day for the Republic of Ireland as England take on Scotland and Slovakia feature against Northern Ireland:
The play/offs will then take place on Thursday morning as the group winners come head to head for the prestigious title
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
FIXTURES (All games take place in Repton School, Derbyshire)
Monday, April 14, 2014
England v Wales at 5:00pm
Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland at 5:00pm
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Republic of Ireland v Slovakia at 10:00am
Wales v Scotland at 2:30pm
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
England v Scotland at 10:00am
Slovakia v Northern Ireland at 2:30pm
Thursday, April 17
5th - 6th place play/off (two teams that come 3rd in their group) at 9:00am
3rd - 4th place play/off (two teams that come 2nd in their group) at 9:00am
Final (between the two group winners) at 10:00am