REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2-0 NORTHERN IRELAND
Tiegan Ruddy, Niamh Farrelly
FAI SCHOOLS U15 GIRLS' INTERNATIONAL kicked off their International campaign in the Bob Docherty Cup with a solid 2-0 win against old rivals Northern Ireland in Repton School, Derbyshire yesterday (April 14, 2014)
Northern Ireland were first to impress with a strong run down the wing by Abbie Magee and her cross was comfortably collected by goalkeeper Carndonagh student and netminder Aoife McColgan:
Lorraine Counihan's crew then launched a series of sustained attacks and chances fell to striker Shania McGonigle (Carndonagh CS) as well as Lauryn O'Callaghan (St: MacDara's CC, Templeogue), who was making incisive runs down the wing from a full back position:
Ballinasloe pupil Heather Payne and Presentation, Listowel star Leah Henry were supplying passes from the wing and Saoirse Noonan's clever midfield play threatened to open up the North's defence:
Northern Ireland threatened sporadically and Abbie Magee again broke forward and her shot was saved by McColgan:
The Republic of Ireland's opening goal came after 17 minutes, after Christ the King SS student Saoirse Noonan was fouled outside the box: Tiegan Ruddy fired a powerful shot from the free kick which gave the Northern Ireland goalkeeper no chance:
Leah Henry hit the target with a fine header following great work from O'Callaghan but the keeper got a hand out to save the shot:
The Republic of Ireland's second goal of the afternoon was initially created by a piercing run by Heather Payne: The resulting corner led Niamh Farrelly to let fly from 25 yards out and the ball rocketed the far corner of the Northern Ireland net
The second half began with continued pressure placed on the North's defence:
Shania McGonigle was again the focal point of the Republic's attacks and she nearly broke through on several occasions: Leah Henry and Saoirse Noonan also came close as they fired low shots across goal from left and right:
Northern Ireland pressed hard for an opener and the lively Caitlin Hamilton had a great run resulting in a free kick: Her shot threatened but did not trouble goalkeeper McColgan:
Leanne Kiernan (Bailieborough CS, Cavan), replacing McGonigle for the Republic of Ireland, continued to trouble the Northern defence and she had two good shots at goal, both created by the impressive and indefatigable Heather Payne:
Payne brought the second half to a conclusion with a shot at goal following a deft pass from Katie Burdis (Colaiste na hInse, Bettystown)
Overall, this was an impressive start to the campaign by the Republic of Ireland as they comfortably overcame a well organised Northern Ireland team:
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 & RESULTS
(All games take place in Repton School, Derbyshire)
Monday, April 14
England 2/0 Wales at 5:00pm
Republic of Ireland 2/0 Northern Ireland at 5:00pm
Tuesday, April 15
Wales 0/6 Scotland at 10:00am
Republic of Ireland 2/1 Slovakia at 3:00pm
Wednesday, April 16
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