Irish capture Bob Docherty Cup in Glasgow
April 15, 2010
Scotland 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Gemma McGuinness (50)
The Republic of Ireland Under 15 Schools team captured the Bob Docherty Cup today (15 April) at the expense of current holders and host nation Scotland. The gruelling three day match series saw Ireland win all three competitive games in determined fashion.
The final game of the tournament saw the Irish up against their toughest test yet with favourites Scotland featuring in an early morning kick off. The game was played at a very high standard with neither team taking any chances. The only goal of the game came courtesy of Moville Community College student Gemma McGuinness deep in the second half.
The encounter was a nervous affair for the Irish who needed a win to secure the title with Scotland sharing the leader board on level points. The Scottish team won both their fixtures against Wales (2-0) and Northern Ireland (2-1) and it was an epic battle for the prestigious title.
Both sides had plenty of opportunities to register a score but good goalkeeping from Nicole Cranny denied the Scots on several occasions.
Drogheda’s Shauna Newman returned to the squad for the final game after recovering from an injury on route to the tournament. She was instrumental in keeping the Scottish at bay and led from the back as Ireland advanced on goal. Scoured opportunities came from the boot of Katie McCabe, Amber Barrett and Sarah Rowe.
Scotland were unfortunate not to equalise in the dying minutes of the game as a strike from distance ricocheted off the post much to the relief of the travelling Irish supporters.
The previous afternoon (Wednesday, 14 April) saw the Republic overcome Wales 3-0 with a goal from Katie McCabe after just 3 minutes. This was followed ten minutes later by a cracking strike from Longford’s Aisling Reynolds. Another Mean Scoil Mhuire student, Aoife Darcy made it three for the Irish with fifteen minutes remaining. The Welsh had no response to the lively Irish forward line and couldn’t manage to get the ball into the Irish half to register any damage.
Michael Gallagher had the perfect start to his campaign when the team produced a magnificent performance against the North to secure their first points of the tournament on Tuesday afternoon (13 April).
The girls were quick out of the blocks and Katie McCabe slotted home the opener from a clever cross from Sarah Rowe in just the second minute of the game.
McCabe & Rowe were instrumental in an excellent team performance and caused untold difficulties for the Northern Ireland defence.
After ten minutes McCabe broke from halfway and calmly rounded the keeper to score her second.
The Irish girls were well on top at this stage and pressed home their advantage when Aisling Reynolds volleyed home from 20 yards in the 15th minute. It was a superb strike from a player who performed solidly in midfield throughout the game.
Northern Ireland came back into the game gradually and a mix up at the back allowed Moya Feehan to pull one back after 18 minutes.
The second half was a more even affair characterised by the work rate of the Irish girls. The back four performed solidly and the centre of midfield allowed McCabe and Rowe to torment the Northern Ireland full backs. Michelle Farrell and Gemma McGuinness, occasionally assisted by Amber Barrett toiled tirelessly up front.
The game was effectively wrapped up on 50 minutes when McCabe burst into the box and was taken down. She confidently scored the penalty herself to complete her hat-trick.
The management team of Michael Gallagher (St. Joseph’s College, Athlone), Margaret Mulhall (Moville Community College), Dave Collins (Alexandra College, Dublin) and Ian Carry (FAI) can be congratulated on a wonderful achievement for Schools football. This is Ireland’s fifth title in eight years with Ireland remaining unbeaten since 2007.
Roscommon native, Gallagher is delighted with the win. “The girls were tremendous over the course of the tournament. We were very lucky to have such a talented panel of players who all featured in the three fixtures. We’re so proud of their achievements here today. We knew it would be difficult to travel to Scotland with the hosts winning the tournament in Belfast last year but we stood up and were counted when needed” stated Gallagher.
Ireland last won the Tournament in Galway in 2008 and were unfortunate with a runners up spot last year in Belfast. The panel were very young last season which saw five players return this season. The experience gained from last year was evident as the team delivered confident performances to win all three fixtures.
Despite losing Schools International Clare Shine to Noel King’s U17 squad, the team remained positive and did themselves proud. Assistant Manager, Margaret Mulhall stated that “it was a major disappoint to lose one of our International stars but the management were convinced of the girl’s ability to do well and they certainly did that this week”.
The Irish will play Scotland in an International Friendly next week to conclude their season’s campaign. The Irish played the Scots away last May and lost 3-0 in that friendly. They will be hoping that their current run of form will remain when they kick off in Curragh Athletic, Killygordon on Sunday, 25 April (KO 12 noon)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U15’s. Nicole Cranny (Heywood Community School), Aine Bennett (Eureka Secondary School, Kells), Chloe Mustaki (St. Kilian’s Deutsche Schule), Emily Cahill (Newpark Comprehensive School), Shauna Newman (St Oliver’s Community College), Carys Johnson (Colaiste Muire, Buttevant), Sarah Rowe (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina), Aisling Reynolds (Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford), Niamh Kelly (St Louis Community College), Michelle Farrell (Moyne Community School), Katie McCabe (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhills), Ciara O’Connell (Mount Mercy College), Keara Cormican (Presentation College, Athenry), Gemma McGuinness (Moville Community College), Aoife Darcy (Mean Scoil Mhuire), Richelle Timothy (Castlerea Community School), Amber Barrett (Loreto Community School, Milford), Amy O’Connor (St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Cork)
MANAGEMENT TEAM. Manager. Michael Gallagher, St. Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Athlone, Assistant Manager. Margaret Mulhall, Moville Community School, Coach. Dave Collins, Alexandra College, Dublin, GK Coach. Ian Carry, Physio. David Kieran, Team Doctor. Dr. Natalia Bratu.
RESULTS.
Tuesday, 13 April (Lochinch Grounds, Pollock Country Park) KO 3pm
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Northern Ireland
Scotland 2-0 Wales
Wednesday, 14 April (Lochinch Grounds, Pollock Country Park) KO 3pm
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Wales
Scotland 2-1 Northern Ireland
Thursday, 15 April (Glasgow University, Garscube Sports Complex) KO 10.30am
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Scotland
Northern Ireland 2-1 Wales
