Friday, March 1, 2019
HEAD COACH Richard BERKELEY has named his final squad of eighteen players for this season’s International series which will see them travel to sunny Salou to compete in the prestigious Bob Docherty Cup over the Easter Break.
The final selection stems from months of assessment days and monitoring of players since the conclusion of the annual Interprovincial Tournament last November. The three day event saw 68 of the best player’s line out for their Province. This was the first step in a comprehensive review period for the management team which saw in effect of over 40 players screened.
As well as the on the pitch activity, Berkeley has concentrated his efforts on performance analysis, strength and conditioning, team building, communications and team dynamic. The Republic of Ireland’s extended panel featured in a number of friendly games, most recently against the MGL select and Athlone Town U17s and performed exceptionally well.
Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh mentor Berkeley has a wealth of talent at his disposal this season with a mix of youthfulness and experience at this grade.
Young gun Ellie Long who represents Carndonagh Community School will be one of three players that have a chance of making the cut next season with Liadán Clynch of Bush Post Primary School, Dundalk and Jessie Stapleton of Palmerstown Community School all progressing.
Jessie who hails from Ballyfermot will be rejoined by the experienced Presentation Secondary School scholar Helen Molloy of Kilkenny. It will be a special year for the Thomastown star as Berkeley has named her as team captain.
The Leinster duo will be immeasurable additions to this squad having struck gold in Belfast twelve months previous with the Republic of Ireland Schools capturing the elusive Bob Docherty Cup title.
In preparation for the International tournament which will see the inclusion of Gibraltar to the six team formation in April, the Republic of Ireland will travel to Armagh City FC tomorrow (Saturday, March 2) to take on Alfie Wylie’s side in their annual International friendly.
The two teams met twelve months previous with the Republic coming through that test with a slender advantage in the AUL Complex. Berkeley’s crew opened the scoring early on through POTM Jessie Stapleton but this was canceled out by a Lucy Andrews goal on the quarter hour mark. However Claregalway pupil Kate Slevin popped by ten minutes from time with the match winner.
The friendly will be a great opportunity for much needed game time as the Republic of Ireland hope to regain their title in Cambrils Park Sports Village later in the year.
Following the helpful run out tomorrow, the U15 Girls are invited to take on Sue Ronan’s U16 contingency in a closed session at the end of March.
With the final preparations then complete, the focus will shift to the International stage as Berkeley’s squad jet off to Salou to attempt to regain their crown.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Aoibheann COSTELLO (Scoil Bhríde, Mercy SS, Tuam), Amy MAHON (St. Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown), Alison LONG (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross), Liadán CLYNCH (Bush Post Primary School, Dundalk), Maria REYNOLDS (Loreto Abbey, Dalkey), Amy CLIFFORD (Loreto SS, Kilkenny), Jessie STAPLETON (Palmerstown Community School), Ellen MOLLOY (Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny), Robyn MURRAY (St. Joseph’s SS, Navan), Rebecca McMAHON (St. MacDara’s CC, Templeogue), Orlagh FITZPATRICK (St. Mary’s College, Naas), Eva MANGAN (Carrigaline Community School), Nicola McNAMARA (Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale), Jenna SLATTERY (Laurel Hill Coláiste), Áine WALSH (Salesian Secondary College, Pallaskenry), Aoife CRONIN (Scoil Pól, Kilfinane), Emma DOHERTY (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana) Ellie LONG (Carndonagh Community School)
MANAGEMENT | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh)Coach Karen Byrne (St. Michael’s Special School, Skerries), Coach Emma Mullin GK Coach Scott Gaynor (Presentation SS, Wexford), Performance Analyst Sarah O’Donoghue Kit Person Karen Henry (Mulroy College, Milford), Physio Aoife Burke
U15 Girls’ International Schedule
Training Camp
FAI HQ
U15 Schools v U16 FAI (closed session)
Saturday, March 23
Bob Docherty Cup | U15 Girls’ International Tournament
Salou
Sunday, April 21, to Wednesday, April 24
END
