International Schools Roundup
The Schools International select at U18 level for boys and U15 level for girls are progressing well this season following their respective Interprovincial Tournament outings last November.
Both extended squads trained in FAI HQ at the weekend. William O’Connor (Balbriggan Community College) put the lads through their paces on Saturday afternoon in Abbotstown while Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) enjoyed a two day camp on Saturday and Sunday in the same venue.
The Centenary Shield hopefuls played a friendly against a new look Dundalk U19s which finished 4-1 to O’Connor’s crew.
Three of the four goals came courtesy of corner kicks which is a positive arsenal for the Irish side.
Templeogue College scholar Jack Ryan opened the scoring for the Schools to ensure a little confidence was instilled early on. Their lead was doubled shortly after as St. Eunan’s starlet James Carolan converted from close range. Their third came from De La Salle student Darryl Walsh, while James Carroll put the polish on an excellent outing for the Republic of Ireland. Dundalk did convert late on to add a little consolation for their hard graft over the eighty minutes of football.
Ali Regbha of Chanel College was absent from the match-day squad but will make a return when the team regroup on Saturday, February 3.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SELECT | Daniel Houghton & Kieran Farren (Carndonagh Community School), Adam O’Connor (St. Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff), James Carolan (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), James Carroll (St. Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda), Luke McNicholas (Balla Secondary School), Darryl Walsh (St. Declan’s Community College), Ronan Manning & Adam Rooney (Yeats College, Galway), Liam Kerrigan (St. Attracta’s CS, Tubbercurry), Cian Lee (Boyne Community School), Peter Adigun (Riversdale Community College), Colm Whelan (Grennan College, Thomastown), Ali Regbha (Chanel College, Coolock), Jack Ryan (Templeogue College), Jake Walker (St. Kevin’s Community College, Clondalkin) Lido Lofeta (Balbriggan Community College), Rory Doyle (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Cian Murphy (Coláiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir), Adam Conway (De La Salle College, Waterford)
MANAGEMENT | Head Coach William O’Connor (Balbriggan Community College), Coach John McShane (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), GK Coach Conor Foley (Athlone Community College), Performance Analyst Ollie Horgan (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Kit Manager Paul Masterson, Physio Mickey McGlynn.
The U15 Girls also featured with an extensive schedule over the 48 hour period. The programme of events saw former International Head Coach Lorraine Counihan address the players on football philosophies.
Berkeley had 21 players kitted out over the two day training camp. He also kept a watchful eye on a number of key players as injuries have ruled out some Bob Docherty Cup contenders.
Four players were observing from the side-lines as an array of grievances were listed among the injured parties. Stapleton was ruled out some weeks ago with a painful collarbone fracture, Murray sustained a hip strain, goalkeeper AskaInyte receives treatment on her knee while O’Donoghue picked up a slight hamstring strain.
The girls turned on the style on Sunday afternoon when they did battle with an impressive MGL U16 select, a welcome test for the students.
The Irish started brilliantly with Niamh Fahey’s niece Anna hitting a well-executed brace for the St. Paul’s SS, Oughterard student. The MGL reacted via Shauna Carroll who slotted home confidently to make it 2-1. Anna Fahey then hit the woodwork before Carndonagh Community School pupil Erin McLaughlin made it 3-1 with a superb effort. Again the MGL responded through Emily Whelan making it 3-2. Manorhamilton star Muireann Devaney wrapped up proceedings for the Republic of Ireland to finish 4-2.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SELECT | Theresa Kinnevey & Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard), Chellene Trill, Kate Slevin, Shauna Brennan (Claregalway College), Kate O’Dowd (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), Emer O’Neill (St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh), Muireann Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Emma Ring (Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan), Jodie McQuillan (Beaufort College, Navan), Ellen Molloy (Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny), Zoe Leonard (Hartstown Community School), Abbie Clarke (Muckross Park College, Donnybrook), Della Doherty (Coláiste Iosagain, Portarlington), Leah Hayes Coen (Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastlewest), Aoife Horgan (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion), Emma O’Donoghue (Coláiste Muire, Ennis), Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Kelly Leahy (Coláiste an Chroi Naofa, Cork), Kerry Ann Brown (Moville Community College), Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School), Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown Community School), Sophie Murray (Loreto College, St. Stephen’s Green), Rugile AskaInyte (St. Mary’s Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin)
MANAGEMENT | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh)Coach Karen Byrne (St. Ultan’s, Navan) GK Coach Dave Rooney, Performance Analyst Emma Mullin (IT Sligo), Kit Person Karen Henry (Mulroy College, Milford), Physio Aoife Burke.
MGL U16 | Courtney Maguire, Lara Shankland, Rebecca Cooke, Ellie Ferguson, Alannah Cassells, Mia Dodd, Alannah Maxwell, Nicole Lynch, Aoife Glennon, Chloe Darby, Shauna Carroll, Emily Whelan, Jessica Ziu, Taylor White, Chloe O’Connor, Ella O’Connell, Nadine Clare, Sarah Murray, Bobbi Downer, Jodie Leavy, Orla Prendergast, Mya O’Shaughnessy, Nicole Keogh
MANAGEMENT | Paul Murray, Niamh Molloy, Derek Fitzpatrick, Damien Power
International Schedules
The pressure will be on both Head Coaches as their finalised squads are due to be completed next month ahead of their International schedule which kicks off shortly.
O’Connor’s Centenary Shield side will feature an away fixture to Wales on February 15 in Cefn Druids as they kick start their campaign. The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will see the Republic of Ireland travel to Luton Town to take on their hosts England on March 16. Their penultimate outing will see them face neighbours Northern Ireland on March 29 in Monaghan United FC. The final contest on April 12 will see them face Scotland in Home Farm FC.
The U15s will enjoy a friendly fixture against a club side on Saturday, February 3 in Castlebar as their training schedule is nearing completion.
A provisional squad will be named to take on Northern Ireland on Saturday, February 17 in an International friendly in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh.
The annual John Read Cup will see the Republic travel to Stafford Town to take on England on Saturday, March 10 ahead of their International Tournament.
The Bob Docherty Cup will then take place from March 24 to 26 in Belfast were 18 players will line out for the Republic of Ireland.
END