Schools select face Treaty challenge

Under 15 Girls’ Republic of Ireland Schools

Thursday, January 25, 2024

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS HEAD COACH Richard Berkeley has selected 22 trialists to attend a two day training camp in Limerick this weekend.

The squad will meet up in University of Limerick on Saturday afternoon for a training session while the Under 15 scholars line out against Treaty United Under 17s at Markets Field on Sunday, January 28 (2.0).

This will be the first competitive friendly for the extended squad and should prove important as Berkeley attempts to trim the squad to 18 in advance of the SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup which will take place from March 24 to 28 (Easter Break). Sunday’s game will see Berkeley and his staff  play two different 11s in either half to access the quality of football against some strong opposition.

The Republic of Ireland will enjoy home advantage for the annual International tournament as Athlone Town AFC has been chosen to host the prestigious event.

The Republic have a high success rate in the competition and Berkeley will hope to regain the foothold his side had on the silverware, claiming their last victory in 2022.

Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally pupil Madison McGUANE recently moved from Pike Rovers to Treaty so it will be interesting afternoon for her as she tests herself against her clubmates.

McGUANE was capped for the Republic of Ireland Schools last season and has been involved with the Irish Under 16s in recent months alongside Keelin COMISKEY (St. Mac Dara’s CC, Templeogue) and Kaitlyn DELAHUNTY (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré). No doubt this trio will play a major role for Berkeley’s youngsters.

Molly KIRWAN (Presentation SS, Thurles) and Abbie DUFFY (Presentation College, Athenry) have both picked up provincial honours with their schools this week and they’ll be hoping this impressive form can be carried forward onto the International stage. 

The Schools select have several assessments scheduled for next month with a friendly pencilled in against Northern Ireland in early March. Berkeley will name his final squad ahead of that fixture. 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Sophie Byrne (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Anna McGough (Claregalway College), Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow), Sophie Hardy (Mount Anville Secondary School), Keelin Comiskey  (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Isabella Talotti (St. Mary’s College, Naas), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Sarah Reynolds (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara), Maisie Quinn (St. Farnan’s Post Primary School, Prosperous), Kassie McLoughlin (Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle), Alice Buggie (St. Wolstan’s Community School, Celbridge), Karla Moore (Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane), Emma Mooney (Tullamore College), Mia Murtagh (Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon), Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Kaitlyn Delahunty (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré), Holly O’Hagan (Regina Mundi College, Cork), Molly Kirwan (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Eva Loftus (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick),  Madison McGuane (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally), Eleanor Blake (Laurel Hill Secondary School, Limerick)

MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh)Coach Katie McCarthy (Coláiste na Toirbhírte, Bandon), Coach Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana) GK Coach Emmet Peyton (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Equipment Manager Karen Henry (Mulroy College, Milford), Performance Analyst Della Doherty, Physio Cianna Hickey.

SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour

END