Bob Docherty Cup kicks off tomorrow

Friday, March 23, 2018

Bob Docherty Cup kicks off tomorrow

RICHARD BEREKELEY’s Schools select will travel the short distance to Belfast tomorrow morning to compete in the annual Bob Docherty Cup with Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus facilitating the three day tournament this year.

The Republic of Ireland have enjoyed some nice results in recent weeks with a win away to England in the annual John Read Trophy as well as a victory against Northern Ireland in the build up to this year’s International series.

As hosts, Northern Ireland will have two squads turn out with a 2004 and 2003 select to make up a six team competition with the Republic of Ireland joined alongside England, Wales and Scotland.

The Northern Ireland ‘A’ will be managed by Ryan Mullen and his 2003 side will see the return of the magnificent seven for this weekend’s events as Lucy Andrews, Jenna Corry, Fi Morgan, Cora Morgan, Cara Mervyn, Anna Wilson and Teegan Lynch all feature. Mullen’s counterpart Stephen Graham will oversee the Northern Ireland ‘B’ contingency in what should prove to be a special occasion for the 36 players listed as they represent their Country on home soil.

Berkeley’s scholars will line out against Scotland in their opening game which is scheduled for a 4.30pm kick off while Northern Ireland ‘A’ face off against England and Northern Ireland ‘B’ have the defending Champions, Wales to contain.

Matthew Clement’s Welsh outfit will be the team to watch out for following their exceptional display last season which saw them lift the title for the first time in the competition’s history. Their preparation in the build up to this campaign has gone extremely well so they will be hoping to get points on the board early.

England have a wonderful record in this competition with a fantastic pedigree of player at their disposal. The squad enjoyed a week’s warm weather training in PSV Eindhoven Academy in early February with a brace of inspiring performances to rack up two wins from two. The visitors defeated PSV Academy 2-0 in their first game and followed this up with a hard fought 3-2 victory, having fallen behind 2-0 in the opening exchanges. Both opponents were from an older age group which is further testament of the quality that the English possess in their armoury.  The Lionesses last captured the elusive Bob Docherty Cup title in 2014 and 2016 so could 2018 be Claire Robinson’s year?

Kingpins Scotland will be another classy side that will use their physicality to great effect. This was evident in the double header friendly matches away to Wales in early February when David Thomson’s side marshalled both outings with some stunning performances from the visitors.

Wales did bounce back for their earlier set-backs to have an enjoyable stint in Brittany with some high calibre opposition ensuring that Clement’s squad were well tested as they go in search of their title defence tomorrow!

The Dragons will be boosted by the presence of Captain Carrie Jones, Grace Morris and Lucia Molinari who were called up to the U17s squad last month, gaining some valuable experience with the older age group.

Captain Jones and colleague Anna Bebb will relish another International appearance at the Bob Docherty Cup in Jordanstown, having experienced the highs of Cup success in Dublin twelve months previous.

Scotland will see the return of goalkeeper Alicia Yates and defender Rebecca McAllister this season. It will be a massive contest for the Republic of Ireland on match day one as they attempt to rattle the Scots’ Cup ambitions on Saturday evening. The Tartan Army last won the title three years ago so they’ll be looking to impress in the North this weekend.

The tournament will have some top quality players involved over the course of the weekend, 108 in total. Who will be the shining lights in match day two when Northern Ireland ‘A’ entertain Scotland while Berkeley’s charges have to contend with Northern Ireland ‘B’ as England and Wales go head to head to complete proceedings. All games will kick off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

The final showdown on Monday morning will see the teams placed. The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to be in with a chance of top spot as all play-off games kick off simultaneously at 11am. Can Richard Berkeley’s crew do enough to see them capture the title which has evaded them since 2010!  

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Therese Kinnevey & Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard), Kate Slevin & Shauna Brennan (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Kate O’Dowd (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), Emer O’Neill (St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh), Muireann Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Ellen Molloy (Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny), 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), Kerry Brown (Moville Community College), Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School), Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown Community School), Rugile AskaInyte (St. Mary’s Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin)

MANAGEMENT | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) Coach Karen Byrne (St. Ultan’s National School, Navan) GK Coach Scott Gaynor (Presentation SS, Wexford), Performance Analyst Emma Mullin (IT Sligo),  Kit Person Karen Henry (Mulroy College, Milford), Physio Aoife Burke

ENGLAND | Lana Timson, Kiya Webb, Safia Paraiso, Ruby Hughes, Emily Slater, Amber Treweek, Kira Hockley, Sally Ann Hitchen, Emily Atkinson, Poppy Pryor, Tamara Abbie Wilcock, Alyssa Mae Aherne, Lauren Hart, Mia Ross, Libbi Mae McInnes, Mary Collier, Bebe Smith, Lily Jackson.

SCOTLAND | Alicia Yates, Gail Gilmour, Robyn McCafferty, Lynsey Baillie, Paige McAllister, Jessica Broadrick, Jenna Penman, Mirin Easdon, Kate Nicolson, Monica Forsyth, Ellie-Jai Reid, Kirsty MacLean, Rebecca McAllister, Maria McAneny, Olivia Potter, Rosie McQuillan, Eilidh Adams, Bayley Hutchison

NORTHERN IRELAND ‘A’ | Jenna Corry (Forthill College), Kathryn McConnell (Kilkeel High School), Leah McAuley (St. Dominic’s Grammar School), Erin McGreevy (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Shona Davis (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Fi  Morgan (Blessed Trinity College), Teegan Lynch (Captain, Holy Cross College), Cora Chambers (Lisneal College), Cora Morgan (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Lucy Andrews (Wallace High School), Rosie Zubier (Dominican College), Lauren Walsh (Ballyclare Grammar School), Amie Hill (Liverpool Academy), Cara Mervyn (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Anna Wilson (Rathmore Grammar), Katie Dickson (Down High School), Abbie McHenry (Belfast Royal Academy), Rosie Thompson (Mercy College)

NORTHERN IRELAND ‘B’ | Rachel Norney (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Kaia Moore (Limavady Grammar), Ella Haughey (Down High School), Tierna Bell (St. Genevieve’s High School), Aimee Neal (Fivemiletown College), Helen Parker (Wellington College), Ellie-Mae Dickson (Wallace High School), Caoimhe Mulholland (Captain, Assumption Grammar), Cara Tumelty (Assumption Grammar), Erin Montgomery (St. Colm’s High School), Eve Reilly (Bloomfield Collegiate), Leah Heaney (Lurgan Junior High), Abbey Redmond (Carrickfergus Grammar), Darcy Boyle (Belfast Girls’ Model), Ellie Tennyson (Laurelhill Community College), Zoe Rodgers (Wellington College), Tara Doherty (Holy Cross College), Lucy Girgan (Dalriada Grammar)

WALES | Safia Middleton-Patel, Lucy Farrell, Grace Anna Morris, Anna Bebb, Ffion Spence, Sadie Jones, Niamh Warrender, Olivia Barnett, Izzy Reddin, Isabella Reidford, Hollie Smith, Lucia Molinari, Beth McGowan, Zoe Smith, Zoe Collyer, Mary McAteer, Maria Francis-Jones, Libby Isaac, Carrie Jones

FIXTURES

All fixtures will take place at Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus

Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

Northern Ireland ‘A’ vs England, Pitch 4

Northern Ireland ‘B’ vs Wales, Pitch 3

Scotland vs Republic of Ireland, Pitch 2

Saturday, March 24, KO 4.30pm

Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

Northern Ireland ‘A’ vs Scotland, Pitch 4

Northern Ireland ‘B’ vs Republic of Ireland, Pitch 3

England vs Wales, Pitch 2

Sunday, March 25, KO 2pm

Bob Docherty Cup Play-offs | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

5 vs 6 Pitch 2

3 vs 4 Pitch 3

1 vs 2 Pitch 4

Monday, March 26, KO 11am

Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour

END