4 Ulster Girls make FAI Schools International Team
International Schools Manager, Michael Gallagher has announced his panel ahead of the Bob Docherty Tournament which will take place in Salthill Devon.
4 Ulster girls all hailing from Donegal have made the team. They feature well all over the park. Niamh Mailey from Deele College Raphoe will feature in goal for the side, while Ciara Grant (Loreto Letterkenny) and Kate Keaney (Abbey Vocational School) will take up position in the middle of the field and Tanya Kennedy (St. Columbas) will help lead the attack up front.
Margaret Mulhall, Assistant Manager (Moville CC) stated that “this is a great achievement for the girls, their families, their schools and for Ulster and one that highlights the work being done by teachers and coaches in schools and clubs on a voluntary basis.” She praised the work and commitment of the girls and the team to date and is confident that Ireland can retain the title.
The squad shows five of last year’s squad who played in Wales with Olivia Smartt and Jessica Gleeson in defence, Ciara Grant and Dora Gorman in the centre and Rebecca Kearney up front
Smartt will lead out her charges on Friday in a bid to retain this coveted title. The Irish have won the tournament three 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 last year in Wales.
Scotland is the only other nation to have won the title and they last won it in 2006 so they will be seeking to avenge last year’s defeat to Ireland.
The girls take on Scotland in the opening game of this competition on Friday 11 April (1pm). They will be looking to make a positive start to their campaign as they face Wales on Saturday (1pm) and Northern Ireland on Sunday (11.30am).
The trophy is named after Bob Docherty who has served Scottish Schools and the International Schools Football Board (SAFB) with distinction for many years.
Republic of Ireland Panel:
1. Niamh Mailey, Deele College, Raphoe
2. Joanna Byrne, Eureka Kells
3. Olivia Smartt, Mount Sackville, Dublin
4. Jessica Gleeson, St. Angela’s Waterford
5. Megan Campbell, Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda
6. Ciara Grant, Loreto Convent, Letterkenny
7. Niamh O’Dea, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon, Clare
8. Dora Gorman, Taylor’s Hill, Galway
9. Tanya Kennedy, St. Columba’s College, Donegal
10. Rebecca Kearney, St. Angela’s College, Cork
11. Stacey Freyne, Balla Secondary School, Mayo
12. Avril Kilkelly, Sacred Heart School, Westport
13. Erica Cahill, Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun
14. Ciara O’Brien, St. Angela’s, Waterford
15. Aileen Gilroy, St. Patrick’s College, Mayo
16. Emer Cassidy, Scoil Iosa, Malahide
17. Kellie Allen, Eurkea Kells
18. Kate Keaney, Abbey Vocational School, Donegal
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Michael Gallagher, Manager, Summerhill College, Athlone
Margaret Mulhall, Assistant Manager, Moville Community School
Dave Collins, Coach, Alexandra College, Dublin
Ian Cary, Goalkeeping Coach, FAI Development Officer for Schools
Jacqui Given, Physiotherapist
Dr. Fionnuala Quigley, Team Doctor
Fixtures:
Friday 11th April
1pm Rep. of Ireland v. Scotland
3pm Northern Ireland v. Wales
Saturday 12th April
1pm Rep. of Ireland v. Wales
3pm Scotland v. Northern Ireland
Sunday 13th April
10am Scotland v. Wales
11.30am Rep. of Ireland v. Northern Ireland