SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Under 15 Girls’ International Tournament
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Berkeley names squad ahead of Bob Docherty Cup
ATHLONE TOWN AFC will host the 2024 SAFIB Bob Dochety Cup in the Under 15 Girls’ International Tournament.
The Republic of Ireland Schools will enjoy home advantage this season with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland competing in this year’s campaign.
Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) has named a squad of 18 players for the campaign.
The squad have enjoyed a few trial games in the lead up to the tournament and the girls have bounded well in the run up to the International series.
The final trial game will see the Republic of Ireland face Shelbourne Under 17’s WNL side on Monday, March 18 in Stella Maris at 12.30pm. It will be a valuable exercise for Berkley and his staff as they assess several players in key positions. He will also have to assess Kassie McLOUGHLIN’s progress following an injury sustained in a club game last week. He’s hopeful the Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle student will be fit for the series in less than a fortnight’s time.
Madison McGUANE of Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally is the sole survivor from last year’s squad. The young Limerick student netted a brace in a friendly against the North last week with Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick pupil Eva LOFTUS also getting on the scoresheet to win 3-1 in Belfast. A good boost for the squad as they look to keep that winning streak alive.
Young guns Kaitlyn DELAHUNTY (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré) and Keelin COMISKEY (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue) have been involved with the Republic of Ireland Under 16s setup in recent months and should add some valuable experience to Berkeley’s charges.
The impressive Sophie BYRNE should bring some local interest in the squad as she attends Coláiste Chiaráin in the town as well as lining out for neighbouring Willow Park FC.
Ciara MILTON (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) made a great recovery from the injury she sustained at the end of the Interprovincial series to see her cement her place in final squad.
In the FAI Schools domestic calendar, you have Presentation College, Athenry star Abbie DUFFY selected at International level. Her School will compete in the FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup Final tomorrow against Athlone Community College in Athlone Town AFC.
Duffy will look to emulate the success of colleague Molly KIRWAN as the young Presentation Secondary School, Thurles player collected a winner’s medal in the FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup decider last week against Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in Dundalk last week.
Berkeley has an impressive record in this competition. The Tallaght native had a wonderful introduction at the helm capturing a double two years in a row with the Republic netting the John Read Trophy and Bob Docherty Cup in 2018 and 2019.
His winning streak was hampered in March 2020 when he lost the John Read Trophy to England in Abbotstown. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit a week later and put a halt to all Schools International football. He came back in 2022 to ensure success for a third consecutive year of action with a glorious victory in Newcastle.
Previous players in this tournament to feature in recent years include Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh CS), Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown CS), Ellen Molly (Presentation SS, Kilkenny) and Abbie LARKIN (Ringsend College)
As well as more established Internationals such as Katie McCABE (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Amber BARRETT (Loreto CS, Milford) and Schools Captain Chloe MUSTAKI (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh). Katie’s sister Lauryn also lined out for the Schools select representing Tallaght Community School in 2022.
The pedigree of footballers will excite as the four Nations do battle for the coveted 2024 title.
The Republic will kick off the series against some tough opposition in reigning Champions Scotland on Monday, March 25 at 10am. This will quickly be followed by Northern Ireland verses England at 12 noon.
Day Two will see Scotland feature against Northern Ireland at 3pm while the Republic of Ireland will host England at 5pm. Both teams will compete for the John Read Cup in this encounter also.
A rest day ensues on Wednesday and the series will conclude on Thursday, March 28 with England against Scotland in the 10am fixture while the Republic of Ireland will take on Northern Ireland at 12 noon.
Berkeley will be hoping these future starlets will be in the running for a podium finish on Thursday afternoon.
UNDER 15 GIRLS’ REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow), Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Isabella Talotti (St. Mary’s College, Naas), Sarah Reynolds (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara), Molly Kirwan (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Mia Murtagh (Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon), Maisie Quinn (St. Farnan’s Post Primary School, Prosperous), Sophie Byrne (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Kaitlyn Delahunty (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré), Keelin Comiskey (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Eva Loftus (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick), Madison McGuane (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally), Anna McGough (Claregalway College), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Kassie McLoughlin (Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle), Karla Moore (Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane)
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), Performance Analyst Della Doherty, Physio Cianna Hickey.
FIXTURES
Monday, March 25 | Match Day 1
Republic of Ireland vs Scotland KO 10am
Northern Ireland vs England KO 12 noon
Tuesday, March 26 | Match Day 2
Scotland vs Northern Ireland KO 3pm
Republic of Ireland vs England KO 5pm
Wednesday, March 27 | Rest Day
Thursday, March 28 | Match Day 3
England vs Scotland KO 10am
Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland KO 12 noon
SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour
|
WINNER |
VENUE |
|
|
2002 |
Republic of Ireland |
Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
|
2003 |
Scotland |
Edinburgh, Scotland |
|
2004 |
Scotland |
Clare, Republic of Ireland |
|
2005 |
Republic of Ireland |
Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
|
2006 |
Scotland |
Dumfries, Scotland |
|
2007*** |
Republic of Ireland |
Wrexham, Wales |
|
2008 |
Republic of Ireland |
Salthill Devon, Galway |
|
2009 |
Scotland |
Belfast, Northern Ireland |
|
2010 |
Republic of Ireland |
Glasgow, Scotland |
|
2011 |
Northern Ireland |
Cardiff, Wales |
|
2012 |
Northern Ireland |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2013 |
Scotland |
Shaws Bridge, Belfast |
|
2014 |
England |
Repton School, Derbyshire |
|
2015 |
Scotland |
Toryglen, Glasgow |
|
2016 |
England |
Dragon Park, Wales |
|
2017 |
Wales |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2018 |
Republic of Ireland |
Ulster University, Jordanstown |
|
2019 |
Republic of Ireland |
Cambrils Park, Salou |
|
2020 |
NA |
COVID-19 |
|
2021 |
NA |
COVID-19 |
|
2022 |
Republic of Ireland |
Cochrane Park, Newcastle University |
|
2023 |
Scotland |
Parklea Playing Fields, Glasgow |
|
*** |
Renamed Bob Docherty Cup |
|
PREVIOUS WINNING SEASON’S
2010
In 2010, the Republic of Ireland were crowned Bob Docherty Cup Champions by defeating the reigning Champions and host nation Scotland in Glasgow University to take the elusive title. A solitary goal courtesy of Moville Community College Gemma McGUINNESS ten minutes from time was enough to clinch the title.
Instrumental in the team’s success that year was team-mates Katie McCABE (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Sarah ROWE St. Mary’s SS, Ballina), Amber BARRETT (Loreto CS, Milford) and Schools Captain Chloe MUSTAKI (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh).
The squad were led by experience as Michael GALLAGHER (St. Joseph’s College, Athlone) managed the Class of 2010 alongside his two assistants Margaret MULHALL (Moville Community College) and Dave COLLINS (Alexandra College, Dublin).
2008
Salthill Devon FC, Galway hosted the Bob Docherty Cup and for Manager Michael Gallagher it was a very successful campaign as the Republic of Ireland retained their title by winning all their three games.
Having seen off the challenges of Scotland and Wales in their opening two contests, the Republic of Ireland clinched the title with a 2-0 success over Northern Ireland in the final game on Sunday morning.
Ireland made the perfect start in a contest in which they only needed a point to clinch the title when Rebecca KEARNEY brought her tally for the series to four with the opener after just three minutes.
The home side continued to build on that cushion and just before the break, made it 2-0. On this occasion a Jessica GLEESON free kick was saved by the keeper Nicole Adams and Tanya KENNEDY was following up to tap in the rebound from close range.
The resumption saw the visitors enjoy a little more possession, but seldom did they look like breaching the home side’s rearguard.
The victory gave Ireland success in the International series for the second year in a row and they did so on this occasion without conceding a goal.
Indeed, it was their fourth success in the competition since it began in 2002.
2007
The squad travelled to Wrexham and the Republic of Ireland won the prestigious event which was the Republic’s third victory in six years.
Manager Priya THAKARAR welcomed back three of last season’s squad who played in Scotland with Aisling DYER enjoying her third season between the posts. Yvonne CAHILL and Becky WALSH were the other two inclusions from last season.
Northern Ireland were late withdrawals from the tournament which saw Wales meet Scotland on day one. The republic of Ireland faced Scotland the following morning and the home side, Wales provided the opposition in the final outing. Two stunning wins for Thakarar’s charges was enough to see them collect the title.
2005
Ballymena was the venue for the event and Ireland had high hopes of success given the excellent quality of preparation put in by the team and the management.
The team began their campaign in style with a fine 3-1 win over holders Scotland.
In very windy conditions the Irish were quick to settle, and the opening goal arrived inside the first ten minutes when Hannah CALLAGHAN broke through the Scottish defence and slipped the ball under the advancing Kirsty Eddis.
The Irish doubled their advantage just after the hour when Niamh MULCAHY converted from the penalty spot and substitute Yvonne CAHILL made sure a minute later when she rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home.
Manager Margaret O’REILLY used the cushion to give all the players a run out in the latter stages of the game and though Kim Ogle did manage a consolation goal for Scotland, the result was never in doubt
In the other game, a strong Welsh side easily defeated the hosts four nil.
Day two saw a difficult assignment against a Welsh team that had brushed aside the challenge of Northern Ireland in their opening game.
The game began well for the Irish with Kaylie KOENTOPP and Hannah CALLAGHAN showing bright touches in attack.
However, the opening goal was a thing of beauty. Callaghan picked up the ball just inside the Welsh half, turned one defender before charging past three more and calmly fired the ball past the goalkeeper.
A second half penalty from Koentopp put the Irish in complete control before a mistake nu the goalkeeper allowed Megan NUGENT to fire home from close range to secure the win.
The final game on Saturday against Northern Ireland proved to a tough encounter with the hosts playing for pride and a dogged resistance kept the game scoreless until just before half-time when Sinead CULLEN burst down the right, into the area and fired home over the keeper in the far corner. A goal in the final minute of the game was no more than the Irish deserved as Niamh MULCAHY fired a thirty yard free kick to the top corner.
2002
The staff that successfully managed the Republic of Ireland Schools squad in Ballymena included Donal CONWAY (Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont), Margaret O’REILLY (Loreto SS, Letterkenny), Joe STAFFORD (Skerries CC), Joe Boyle (FAI National Co-ordinator) and Niamh Spratt (Women’s Administrator).
A few players involved went on to represent the Republic of Ireland at underage International level and Sara LAWLOR (St. Joseph’s College, Lucan), played a number of times for the Irish Senior squad.
The Republic of Ireland established themselves as powerhouses that season with victories over Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Under 16s.
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