PREVIEW | Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial Tournament

Dr. Fionnuala Quigley Memorial Trophy

Squads finalised for Girls’ Interprovincial series

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

The 2024 FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincialseries kicks off in Athlone Town AFC during the Mid Term Break next week, Tuesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 31.

The three-day tournament will see sixty-eight of the top players in Irish Schools line out from all corners of the Country as they compete for their Province and possibly make the cut for International assessment next month.

This tournament will be the first step in the process of selecting the FAI Schools International Development squad of 18 players who will compete in the Bob Docherty Cup. In 2025, Richard Berkeley’s International side will travel the short distance to Belfast as Northern Ireland host the tournament during the Easter Break (Sunday, April 13 to Thursday, April 17).

All eyes will be on the Interprovincial series to scout for the best talent on display within our network of post primary schools. The event will see six matches played with Provinces awarded two points for a win and one point for a draw. The format leaves for an exciting finale in the Thursday morning outings.

DEPARTURES

Munster’s Barry RYAN (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles) made the difficult decision to step away from his role as Head Coach after four years at the helm. Ryan secured back-to-back titles with the Province in 2021 and 2022. 

Meanwhile Rob ELLISON (St. Raphaela’s Secondary School, Stillorgan) and Scott GAYNOR (Presentation Secondary School, Wexford) departed the Leinster setup citing personal reasons following seven years in charge. They amassed three titles during their tenure, leaving as defending Champions of the competition.

The trio’s contribution to the schools’ game has been extraordinary. Their diligent years of service has been invaluable to the development of players who featured not just at provincial level but even progressing through the ranks of the Ireland underage structures and Senior International squads. No doubt they’ll recharge the batteries and kick on in the game at a later stage.

NEW ARRIVALS

With that, Munster have Kevin DUFFY (Coláiste Muire, Ennis) and Paul CORBETT (St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon) installed alongside Eileen O’BRIEN (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick) this season.

While Leinster will see newcomers Keith COFFEY (Confey Community College, Leixlip), Ciaran O’BRIEN (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Drogheda) and Lauren McGINN (Donabate Community College) come on board.

The Connacht and Ulster management staff remain unchanged.

 FOOTBALL FOCUS 

An incredible 12 players will return from last season, Ulster have 2, Leinster and Munster have 3 apiece while Connacht have 4.

Paddy McDaid’s Ulster outfit have a brace of repeat scholars as Megan Gallagher (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town) and Lucie Gibson (Bailieborough Community School) join forces again. 

The Finn Valley College mentor is looking to build on the experience gained next week as he has selected five 2011’s for the tournament, making them the youngest side to line out. Kate McMENAMIN (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Ella BRENNAN (Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny), Aimee McLAUGHLIN (Carndonagh Community School), Ava GRIER (Loreto Community School, Milford) and Adah GILL (Moville Community School) will all be eligible again for 2025. It will be interesting to see how McDaid’s young guns get on.  

Reigning Champions Leinster will have goalkeeper Lucy DOYLE FARRINGTON (St. Mary’s College, Arklow), Lara DALLAGHAN (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey) and Ciara MILTON (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) all starring again for Keith Coffey’s side. The pedigree of this trio is immense with all three making the cut for the International Schools select last season. They will be hoping to retain that status quo with another International cap at schools level, having already been involved with the Irish Under 16s. Halle HARCOURT (Larkin Community College) also featured for Tom Elmes’ side in their recent victory over Northern Ireland. The experience gained at such a young age will be invaluable to the Leinster side, making them a formidable force.

Also of note is the inclusion of Ava KELLY (Tallaght Community School), sister of former Leinster and Republic of Schools star Ella. Ava’s older sister was one of the nominees for International Schools Player of the Year in 2022. While Maisy HEALY (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) follows in her sister Hannah’s footsteps too with a call up to Leinster. Hannah had an incredible campaign for her Province and the Republic of Ireland Schools winning the prestigious International Schools gong two years ago. No doubt the girls will relish an opportunity to impress and make a name for themselves.

The Connacht crew will see quartet; Abbie DUFFY (Presentation College, Athenry), Chloe GLYNN (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Ana CONWAY (Salerno Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill) and Ava HALLINAN (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone) selected again. Indeed, Duffy was capped for the Irish Schools side in the Bob Docherty Cup last April so she will be one to watch for Dom Coll’s charges. Her third consecutive year lining out for Connacht which is a remarkable achievement.

2022 Champions Munster will welcome back goalkeeper Sarah DOYLE (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir) and Limerick duo Ellen GOGGIN and Leah HANNON (Crescent College Comprehensive). The shot-stopper was delighted with a call up to the Under 16 International side recently having also been capped for the Republic of Ireland Schools select twelve months previously.  Her knowledge between the posts will be vital.

Aoife O’DONNELL (Cashel Community School) will be the youngest player to tog out in the Interprovincial series. The talented pupil will be one to keep an eye on for future development. 

 RECENT SUCCESS

Leinster come into the competition as defending Champions and may hold the favourites tag on paper.  Munster secured back to back victories in 2021 and 2022 but can either of the new management teams replicate such success. Or will the veterans succeed this season? Connacht captured the elusive title in 2017 while Ulster were victories 14 years ago. No doubt all management teams will have their squads primed for some exciting and competitive football.

It’s a huge honour for the students to represent their schools and be selected at this level. Many of these youngsters will develop onto the conveyor belt of International squads while others will look back on the competition as one of their many footballing highlights.

As the excitement mounts for this year’s contest, Connacht will open the series when they take on Ulster at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon while Leinster kick off their title defence against Munster at 5pm.

Following the initial games, a draw will be made on Tuesday evening for Wednesday’s pairings which kick off at 1pm and 3pm. The conclusion of the tournament will see the penultimate game on Thursday at 10.30am while the final game will commence at 12.30pm. 

All games will be live streamed with links available on the FAI Schools social media platforms on the respective matchdays (@faischools facebook and twitter)

INTERPROVINCIAL PANELS

CONNACHT | Ivana McMahon (Ursuline College, Sligo), Sive Flanagan (Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris),  Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Chloe Glynn (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Mona Lowe (Lough Allen College, Leitrim), Aisling Kennedy (Glenamaddy Community School), Ana Conway (Salerno Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Salthill),  Maireád Mullins (St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Emily Coleman (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford), Tilly Carroll (Salerno Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill), Caoimhe O’Donnell (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross, Killala), Saoirse Reynolds, Aoibhinn McGreal (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Kyilah Maloney (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Katie Quirke (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Kate McNamara (Seamount College, Kinvara)

MANAGEMENT | Dom Coll (Retired, Presentation College, Athenry) Stephen Lacken (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross), Seamus MacEachmharcaigh (Sacred Heart School, Westport)

LEINSTER | Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow), Ava Kelly (Tallaght Community School),  Caoimhe Devane (Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan), Eimear Byrne (Portlaoise College), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Hailey Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells), Halle Harcourt (Larkin Community College), Jane Smyth (Loreto Secondary School, Navan), Kellie Doyle (Tullow Community School), Laila Hurley (St. Mac Daras Community College, Templeogue), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf), Matylda Stelmaszek (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh), Mia Whelan (Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy), Olivia Kenny (Our Lady’s College, Terenure), Ruby Boland (Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara), Skye Barrett (Maynooth Post Primary School)

MANAGEMENT | Keith Coffey (Confey Community College, Leixlip), Ciaran O’Brien (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Drogheda), Lauren McGinn (Donabate Community College), Mia O’Connell, Kate Foley (IT Carlow students)

MUNSTER | Sarah Doyle, Ruby Norris, Maia Stokes (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir),  Eva Power (Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West), Alexandra Sheehy (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick), Leah O’Leary Callender (Ashton School, Cork), Lily Sexton (Coláiste Éamann Rís, Corcaigh), Ruth McGrath (St. Angela’s College, Cork), Caila Nelligan (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville), Shania West (Nagle Community College, Mahon),  Leah Hannon, Ellen Goggin, Orlaith O’Connell (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Isobel Conway (Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher), Anna Cronin (Coláiste Choilm, Cork), Aoife O’Donnell (Cashel Community School), Emma Jones (Coláiste Muire, Ennis)

MANAGEMENT | Kevin Duffy (Coláiste Muire, Ennis), Eileen O’Brien (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Kate Delaney (Mary Immaculate College), Paul Corbett (St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon) Richard Grimes (Head of Delegation)

ULSTER | Croía Toye (Beech Hill College, Monaghan), Megan Gallagher (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Mairéad Shields (Mulroy College, Milford), Ella Brennan, Caoimhe McLaughlin (Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny), Kyra Gavigan, Ella Udoku, Kate McMenamin,  (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Lucie Gibson, Sophie Holland (Bailieborough Community School), Maebh Ferguson (Loreto College, Cavan), Shauna Doohan (PCC, Falcarragh), Lanah Sherlock (St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill), Adah Gill (Moville Community College), Aimee McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School), Ava Greer, Aoibhinn Callaghan (Loreto Community School, Milford)

MANAGEMENT | Paddy McDaid (Finn Valley College, Stranorlar), Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Catherine Fletcher (Mulroy College, Milford) Orlaith Doherty (Student, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Dessie McGlinchey

FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial Tournament

Fixtures | Athlone Town AFC

(2 periods of 30 minutes) 

No extra time. 10 min h/t interval

Tuesday, October 29

3.00pm Connacht vs Ulster

5.00pm Leinster vs Munster

Wednesday, October 30

1.00pm Game 3

3.00pm Game 4

Thursday, October 31

10.30am Game 5

12.30pm Game 6

GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL ROLL OF HONOUR

*Under 18 level 1994 to 2002 then switched to Under 15 level from 2003 onwards

END