Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial Tournament
Dr. Fionnuala Quigley Memorial Trophy
Monday, November 27, 2023
LEINSTER were crowned 2023 FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial winners following a late surge against defending Champions Munster in the AUL Complex yesterday (Sunday, November 26).
Munster were seeking an impressive three in -a-row this season but Rob Ellison’s side came from a goal down to spoil the celebrations. Leinster came through the thrilling contest winning 3-1 in the end.
Leinster won a whooping fifth consecutive title back in 2016 which was a magnificent achievement for the province under the stewardship of veteran Paul Howard (Loreto College, Crumlin).
When Howard stepped down from the helm following his wonderful endeavour over the years, it was pressure on for newbie Rob Ellison (St. Raphaela’s SS, Stillorgan) to continue the developmental conveyor belt. He was joined by Scott Gaynor (Presentation SS Wexford) and the experienced duo of Mags Doyle and Claire Kinsella.
Connacht won the tournament in their debut season of 2017 but since then the girls have moved on but Ellison and Gaynor remain committed and have amassed three titles in six years.
The standard of football across all four provinces was highly impressive and it was wonderful to witness the progression of the girls’ game.
Although the tournament is competitive, the bigger picture for these 68 players will be the selection for International trial as the Association use this event as the key recruitment tool for the players progression to International level.
International Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) will work with the group over the next three months as he and his staff prepares to assemble a squad for the year. The first assessment is scheduled for Sunday, December 10 in Dublin.
ACTION SUMMARY
MATCH DAY 1
Leinster 2-0 Connacht Munster 4-0 Ulster
Ciara Milton (25) Alice Buggle (47) Molly Kirwan (16, 30+1) Madison McGaine (29), Jessica Meade (38)
GAME 1
Leinster made a positive start to proceedings with an opening day victory over a hard working Connacht side.
It was even going for much of the first half but a superb goal from St. Leo’s College starlet Ciara MILTON ensured a slight advantage at the break.
Leinster doubled their tally through a 30 yard free-kick from St. Wolstan’s CS student Alice BUGGLE that deceived the Connacht defence to bounce into the back of the net.
Connacht were unlucky not to get one back through Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary SS, Enniscrone) as her strike hit the side-netting with five minutes remaining.
GAME 2
In the other game of the evening, reigning Champions Munster enjoyed a convincing win over Ulster under the lights on Friday evening.
Molly KIRWAN of Presentation SS, Thurles struck a brace inside the first half while Madison McGUANE added a third before the break.
Paddy McDaid’s Ulster side conceded a fourth eight minutes into the restart which was a sucker punch to their hopes of mounting a comeback.
A little tactically manoeuvring mid-way through the half saw Ciara Daly (Loreto SS, Letterkenny) test the keeper as well as Nicole Bonner Gillespie (Rosses CS, Dungloe) with another good opportunity but both attempts were palmed away from danger.
Brianna Ni Fhearraigh (Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair) had a fabulous shot from distance late on but again, Munster held on for another hard earned clean sheet.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Former Schools International Aoife KELLY (Presentation College, Carlow) was on hand to name the Player of the Match recipients.
Ciara MILTON (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) was rewarded for her sterling performance for Leinster against Connacht in the opening game while Madison McGUANE (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally) was selected for Munster in their victory over Ulster. Déjá vu for the young Limerick scholar as she received the same accolade last season in the same fixture.
MATCH DAY 2
Leinster 3-0 Ulster Connacht 0-2 Munster
E Mooney (16), S Reynolds (19 pen), C Milton (45) E Loftus (36), L Flannery (40)
GAME 3
Saturday afternoon saw Leinster face off against Ulster in the first outing of the day. Ulster’s Mia O’Donnell (Rosses CS, Dungloe) started a good counter-attack with an excellent through ball to Coláiste Dún an Ri pupil Abbie Sheils however Kaye Gayson (Colaiste Bríde, Clondalkin) was alive to the danger and did enough to divert the effort with 13 minutes on the clock.
Ciara Daly and Sophie Doherty were impressive in the early exchanges and Mya Browne (St. Columba’s College) did well to contain some of the Leinster attacks. However the deadlock was broken mid-way through the half when Emma MOONEY (Tullamore College) opening the scoring for Ellison’s crew.
The Leinster lead was doubled three minutes later when Sarah REYNOLDS (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara) converted from the penalty spot.
Ulster had a chance to grab one back through Sophie McLoughlin (Loreto SS, Letterkenny) but her strike from the edge of the box was well saved.
Ciara MILTON added a third for good measure 15 minutes from time as Ulster struggled to make an impact in the second period.
GAME 4
Connacht played some lovely football in the second encounter of the afternoon. They were very unfortunate not to get something from the game as they hit the woodwork twice.
A tense affair in the opening thirty minutes but the breakthrough goals came shortly after the restart. Eva LOFTUS (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick) netted on 36 minutes and Lily FLANNERY (Rockwell College, Cashel) followed up four minutes later with a brilliant finish to take the full points on offer.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Ambassador Carla MULDOON (St. Mac Dara’s Community College) starred in the Leinster set up for two years (2022, 2021) and was pitch-side to select the Player of the Match recipients. Carla was capped for Republic of Ireland Schools vs Northern Ireland in a friendly last February but picked up an injury that curtailed her participation in the Bob Docherty Cup but she’s flying at club level now which saw her named WU17 POTY. The Templeogue student was impressed with some key players for both teams in their respective showdowns but felt Emma MOONEY (Tullamore College) and Eva LOFTUS (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick) were deserved of the awards.
MATCH DAY 3
Connacht 4-0 Ulster Munster 1-3 Leinster
A McGough (9), A Hallinan (13), S Byrne (33), A Galligan (39) M Kirwan (15), K McLoughlin (41), S Reynolds (48, 56)
GAME 5
The penultimate fixture would see a Connacht master class as they overcame an industrious Ulster side.
Ulster netminder Rachel Ruddy had to be lively to clear some early chances from Dom Coll’s side was they Connacht stars had a blistering start.
Right back Megan Gallagher (Abbey VS) covered a lot of ground with a mazy run to fed winger Castleblaney star Macy Treanor and the fancy footwork was impressive but Connacht’s Emma Dillon (Coláiste Éinde, Salthill) timed her tackle to perfection to deny the youngster.
Claregalway scholar Anna McGOUGH started the goal spree with a neat finish after 9 minutes. A second was added four minutes later through Ava HALLINAN (Jesus & Mary SS, Enniscrone).
Sophie BYRNE (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone) was introduced at half-time and made an immediate impact scoring three minutes after the restart.
Macy Treanor linked well to set up Deele College’s Cliodhna Kelly but the ball just sailed agonisingly over the upright.
Abi GILLIGAN of Coláiste Éinde, Salthill netted a fourth for them on 39 minutes.
Ulster never gave up and showed great character to keep challenging at every opportunity. They were well served by midfielder Holly McCarron and Nicole Bonner Gillespie in defence.
GAME 6
Barry Ryan had the dream start with Eva Loftus setting down a marker on 11 minutes with a powerful strike on target but Lucy Doyle Farrington pulled off an extraordinary save to deny the Laurel Hill Coláiste scholar.
Three minutes later, another brilliant intercept from the St. Mary’s College shot-stopper saw Molly Kirwan denied. Munster were in a commanding position.
The persistent pressure from Molly KIRWAN (Presentation SS, Thurles) reaped dividends half way through the first period as she got the better of Doyle Farrington. The keeper saved the initial shot from Madison McGuane but just couldn’t keep out the follow up.
Barry Ryan’s crew led one nil at the interval.
The tension was mounting as Leinster managed to get a foothold on proceedings ten minutes into the restart.
Seconds later, Leinster equalised through Baldoyle pupil Kassie McLOUGHLIN (Pobalscoil Neasáin).
Munster’s goalkeeper Sara Doyle pulled off an exceptional save to deny Alice Buggle with an audacious back heel at the far post with 45 minutes played.
Again it was Buggle who challenged Doyle two minutes later, this time with a thirty yard free-kick that was dipping under the woodwork but the keeper managed to palm the ball off the crossbar and out.
Some brilliant goalkeeping from the Doyle duo at either end of the park.
Leinster got themselves in front for the first time in the game as Sarah REYNOLDS had a vital touch before the ball crossed the line. Leinster leading for the first time in the game, 2-1 with 12 minutes remaining.
It was Sarah REYNOLDS again that struck the decisive goal four minutes from time when she found space in the box to smash the ball home for the insurance.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Former Schools International Erin McLAUGHLIN (Carndonagh Community School) was present to announce the Player of the Match recipients. Connacht joint captain Abbie DUFFY (Presentation College, Athenry) was the outstanding individual who merited the award against Ulster while McLaughlin had a tougher decision in the other encounter with Munster facing Leinster. Erin chose Sarah REYNOLDS (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara) following her stunning display coming off the bench.
INTERPROVINCIAL PANELS
CONNACHT | Jane Brennan, Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Emma Dillon, Abi Gilligan (Coláiste Éinde, Salthill), Jasmine Treacy (Coláiste na Coiribe, Baile na mBúrcach), Sophie Byrne, Chloe Glynn (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Holly O’Leary, Ruby Carroll, Ana Conway (Salerno Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Salthill), Kate Barrett (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill), Ellen Gilmartin, Amber Gray Harrigan (Mercy College, Sligo), Anna McGough (Claregalway College), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Grace Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Rebecca McGrath (Dunmore Community School)
MANAGEMENT | Dom Coll, Lucy Smith (Presentation College, Athenry) Stephen Lacken (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross), Darren Conroy (Coláiste Éinde, Salthill)
LEINSTER | 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), Roisin Bradley (Heywood Community School, Laois), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Sarah Reynolds (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara), Maisie Quinn (St. Farnan’s Post Primary School, Prosperous), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Kassie McLoughlin (Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle), Alice Buggie (St. Wolstan’s Community School, Celbridge), Karla Moore (Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane), Grace Moore (Killinarden Community School, Tallaght), Emma Mooney (Tullamore College), Robyn Loughran (Coláiste Chill Mhantáin), Kate Gayson (Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin), Mia Murtagh (Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon)
MANAGEMENT | Rob Ellison (St. Raphaela's SS, Stillorgan), Scott Gaynor (Presentation SS, Wexford) Della Doherty (Student), Maeve Williams (Student), Teegan Lynch (Student)
MUNSTER | Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Annabel Mulcaire Quille (Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale), Lexi Wynne, Kaitlyn Delahunty (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré), Holly O’Hagan (Regina Mundi College, Cork), Mioda O’Shea (St. Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh), Sophia Redmond (St. Aloysius’ College, Carrigtwohill), Eleanor Blake (Laurel Hill Secondary School, Limerick), Jessica Meade (Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West), Molly Kirwan (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Eva Loftus (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick), Leah Hannon, Ellen Goggin (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Lily Foskin (Mount Mercy College, Cork), Lily Flannery (Rockwell College, Cashel), Rhiann Murphy (St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon), Madison McGuane (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally),
MANAGEMENT | Barry Ryan (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Hayley Dewick (St. Ailbe’s School, Tipperary),Amy Costello (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick), Pat Barrett (GK Coach), Kevin Duffy (Coláiste Muire, Ennis), Richard Grimes (St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon)
ULSTER | Rachel Ruddy (Beech Hill College, Monaghan), Megan Gallagher (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Nicole Bonner Gillespie, Mia O’Donnell (Rosses Community School, Dungloe), Chloe McConigley Blaney (Mulroy College, Milford), Sorcha Keys, Cliodhna Kelly, Holly McCarron (Deele College, Raphoe), Brianna Ní Fhearraigh (Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair), Abbie Sheils (Coláiste Dún na Rí, Kingscourt), Sophie Doherty, Ciara Daly, Sophie McLaughlin (Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny), Macy Treanor (Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney), Alicia Domanska, Mya Browne (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Lucie Gibson (Bailieborough Community School)
MANAGEMENT | Paddy McDaid (Finn Valley College, Stranorlar), Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Catherine Fletcher (Mulroy College, Milford) Orlaith Doherty (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar)
RESULTS & POTM
Leinster 2-0 Connacht POTM Ciara MILTON (St. Leo’s College, Carlow)
Munster 4-0 Ulster POTM Madison McGUANE (Ardscoil Mhuire, Limerick)
Saturday, November 25
Leinster 3-0 Ulster POTM Emma MOONEY (Tullamore College)
Connacht 0-2 Munster POTM Eva LOFTUS (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick)
Sunday, November 26
Connacht 4-0 Ulster POTM Abbie DUFFY (Presentation College, Athenry)
Munster 1-3 Leinster POTM Sarah REYNOLDS (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara)
GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL ROLL OF HONOUR
|
YEAR |
WINNER |
VENUE |
|
1994 |
Leinster |
Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont (vs Connacht) |
|
1995 |
Leinster |
*Longford Town FC (4 Provinces) |
|
1996 |
Connacht |
*Ballinasloe, Galway |
|
1997 |
Leinster |
*Ballinasloe, Galway |
|
1998 |
Leinster |
*Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham |
|
1999 |
Leinster |
*Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham |
|
2000 |
Munster |
*Athlone |
|
2001 |
Leinster |
*Dangain, Galway |
|
2002 |
Leinster |
*Clare |
|
2003 |
Munster |
Clare (Current U15 level) |
|
2004 |
Leinster |
Willow Park, Athlone |
|
2005 |
Munster |
Willow Park, Athlone |
|
2006 |
Munster |
Willow Park, Athlone |
|
2007 |
Munster |
Willow Park, Athlone |
|
2008 |
Munster |
Willow Park, Athlone |
|
2009 |
Leinster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2010 |
Ulster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2011 |
Munster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2012 |
Leinster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2013 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2014 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2015 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2016 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2017 |
Connacht |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2018 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2019 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2020 |
N/A |
COVID-19 |
|
2021 |
Munster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2022 |
Munster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
|
2023 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Clonshaugh |
IMAGES courtesy of Mick O’Shea & Gerry Scully
END
