Rod Houston Cup
Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB)
First Year Girls National Cup Finalists (U14)
Monday, November 7, 2022
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY will represent FAI Schools this week in the SAFIB Rod Houston Cup for the first time in the Schools history as Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire plays host.
The Republic of Ireland representatives will jet off from Shannon to Manchester this morning to compete for the first time in their history. The three day tournament will see them participate against the Welsh contingency who have 2 teams lining out with Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff and Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire involved while England have South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire also fielding for the first time at this event.
The tournament will resume following a two year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reigning Champions from 2019 were Carndonagh Community School. They secured the gold medal with a 3-1 victory over Welsh outfit Ysgol Glan Clwdy, Saint Asaph. Conor Doherty’s side were in a commanding position heading into the final game following comprehensive victories over their English counterparts, defeating Crompton House School 4-2 in the opening game. This was followed up with an impressive 4-0 win over Shenfield High School, Essex in the penultimate outing.
In 2018, Westport’s Sacred Heart School made the journey to Lilleshall. The Irish girls had convincing wins over the other title contenders St. Ivo School and Ysgol Cymraeg Bro Morgannwg of Barry so it was winner takes all on the third day of action. Bohunt School, Wokingham dispatched the Westport side 2-1 in a tantalising conclusion to ensure a runners up spot for the Republic of Ireland representatives.
2017 Champions, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny had a phenomenal tournament with the Cats notching up 32 goals in three games, only conceding twice to lift the title in remarkable fashion with Senior International Ellen Molly playing an instrumental role in their success.
In 2016, Ursuline College in Sligo were runners up to eventual winners St. Ivo School in the very first tournament decider.
The Irish Schools have enjoyed some superb results at this level so it will be interesting to see how Presentation College, Athenry perform this season.
FIXTURES
The first series of games will take place this evening (Monday, November 7) which will see Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff face off against South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire at 4pm while Athenry’s challengers will be Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire with a 5.15pm kick off scheduled.
Day two will see an early start for Athenry as the other Welsh outfit Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff will be the opposition at 10am while South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire take on Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire at 11.15am
Wednesday’s fixtures have the Irish representatives facing the English side while it will be all Welsh affair to finish up the tie as both games kick off simultaneously at 10.30am.
The table toppers will be awarded the Rod Houston Cup following the final series of games as well as the Nigel Brown Trophy to be awarded to the best player of the tournament.
The Galway side showed great class in their Provincial decider last May and their 2-0 victory over Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana last month in their National Cup semi-final campaign. They will relish the opportunity to showcase their talents on a bigger stage. FAI Schools wish Presentation College, Athenry every success in the tournament as they kick off proceedings this evening.
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY | Lauren Kearney, Leah Mullins, Sarah Egan, Soirise Counihan, Niamh Kilgannon, Mollie Noone, Sophie Hogan, Katyln Walshe, Aimria McNamara, Ciara Mullins, Katie Noone, Lauren Gannon, Chloe Taylor Keane, Abbie Donoughue, Jessica McGlynn, Aoibhe Corcoran
TEACHERS | Joe Finnerty, James McDonnell, Emer Kilgannon, Dom Coll
SAFIB Rod Houston Cup (U14 Girls’ Home Nations Tournament)
Venue | Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire
Monday, November 7
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff vs South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire, KO 4pm
Presentation College, Athenry vs Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, KO 5.15pm
Tuesday, November 8
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff vs Presentation College, Athenry, KO 10am
South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire vs Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, KO 11.15am
Wednesday, November 9
Presentation College, Athenry vs South Hunsley High School, East Riding of Yorkshire, KO 10.30am
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff vs Ysgol Bro Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, KO 10.30am
BACKGROUND
The Cup is named after Mr. Rod Houston. Rod is a retired School teacher and was President of the Scottish Schools FA for many years. He held the position of Treasurer and Secretary of the Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB) and is honoured to be associated with this competition that promotes girls football to a larger audience. This competition has been in existence since 2016.
ROLL OF HONOUR
2016 | St. Ivo School, Huntington (Runners Up Ursuline College, Sligo)
2017 | Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
2018 | Bohunt School, Wokingham (Runners Up Sacred Heart School, Westport)
2019 | Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
2020 | NA (COVID-19)
2021 | NA (COVID-19)
2022 |
PREVIOUS IRISH REPRESENTATIVE SQUAD LISTS
2016 |URSULINE COLLEGE, SLIGO | Megan Byrne, Emma Corcoran, Allanah Gallagher, Shona Dalton, Oda Carty, Sophie McDonagh (Captain), Helen Monaghan, Aoife McLaughlin, Laura Oates, Cathy Harrison, Sarah Gillen, Sophie McGoldrick, Eden Rooney, Emma Shanley, Ingrid Shiels
TEACHERS: Deirdre Cullinan, Carmel Donelon ASSISTANTS: Darragh Healy & Laura McGinn
2017 | PRESENTATION SS, KILKENNY | Ellie O’Neill, Louise McInerney, Katie Ryan, Caroline Barron, Sarah O’Gorman, Niamh Phelan, Sarah Barcoe, Keara Ryan, Rachel Whelan, Ellen Molloy, Kate Furlong, Emma Shortall, Sarah Hudson, Alannah Cody, Sarah O’Donnell, Aoife Doyle
TEACHERS | Wendy Roche & Monica Kearns
2018 | SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT | Katie McNea (Captain), Ella McHale, Aenea Breslin, Sophie Scahill, Ashling Duffy, Sorcha McArney, Aoife Staunton, Leila O’Malley, Maggie Chambers, Laura Moran, Cliodhna Casey, Abi Conway, Maya O’Toole, Emily Chambers, Milly Allen, Eimear Geraghty, Laura Masterson
TEACHERS | Fiona Casey, Annemarie O’Malley ASSISANTS | Declan Moran, Megan Nugent, Jennifer Coughlan
2019 | CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL | Samantha McLaughlin, Suzie Lafferty, Ellie Long, Ailish Doherty, Imogen Diver, Seaneen Crumlish, Cora McCaul, Alanah Brennan, Aisling Doherty, Fiona Dohery. Clara Gill, Aoife McCarron, Erin Grant, Niamh Devlin, Jenna Gallagher, Julia Grant, Rachel McLaughlin, Courtney Gallagher
TEACHERS | Conor Doherty, Kevin McCarron, Danielle Doherty