THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U15 SCHOOLS have made a positive impact in the Bob Docherty Cup at the mid way point of the four day tournament in Shaws Bridge, Belfast:
With two games under their belt, the Irish have one win and one draw secured and two remaining fixtures outstanding:
Richelle O’Neill’s charges had a comprehensive 4/0 win against the Welsh in their opening encounter on Monday evening: Two goals in either half were enough to give the Republic of Ireland full points:
The Irish could have went one up inside three minutes as Kiltimagh pupil Jessica Nolan tested the Welsh keeper with the net minder getting the upper hand on this occasion: However it didn’t take long for the Republic to settle into proceedings: Some excellent football from Moville star Roma McLaughlin found Sinead Ryan in space: The New Ross native gave the Republic the lead on the 10 minute mark with a well executed strike from close range:
This lead was doubled just seconds from the interval as Roma McLaughlin headed home inside the box following a delightful cross courtesy of Captain Jamie Finn (St: Finian’s CC) who was playing some marvellous football herself:
Nolan was impressive throughout and even got her name on the score sheet with Ireland’s third goal on 41 minutes as the youngster let fly a wonderful shot on target from 12 yards out:
Ireland’s fourth goal was delivered from a set piece as Eleanor Ryan Doyle got onto a well delivered ball into the box from Nolan on the stroke of full time: An excellent finish from the Lucan student
Republic of Ireland line/out v Wales: Amanda McQuillan, Lucy McCartan, Chloe Flynn, Erica Byrne (Olivia Nolan, 47) Niamh Farrelly (Dearbhaile Beirne, 42), Jamie Finn (Capt), Eleanor Ryan Doyle, Roma McLaughlin (Lauren O’Callaghan, 60) Jessica Nolan (Danie Murray, 60) Sinead Ryan (Rachel Fitzmaurice, 51), Sorcha Ní Bhhraoain
The Republic of Ireland had a tougher test as they took to the field on Tuesday afternoon against England:
There was only one change to the starting eleven that faced Wales as Mohill student Dearbhaile Beirne was introduced for Lucan’s Niamh Farrelly: McCartan and Flynn switched wings as a precautionary measure to pick up the lively English captain, who turned out to be a target woman all afternoon
This was a physical game that saw the Irish under pressure for long periods of the first half:
Eleanor Ryan Doyle was unfortunate not to convert her effort goal bound as she went one on one with the English keeper within seven minutes:
Amanda McQuillan was the busiest of the two keepers as she was called into action numerous times to clear the English attack:
However the deadlock was broken midway through the first half as Nastasha Fenton converted from a set piece to give England a distinct advantage
The Irish hit the crossbar just before the interval as Eleanor Ryan Doyle skimmed the woodwork
The Irish made a positive start in the second half as centre half Erica Byrne got her head onto a excellent delivery from Nolan with her effort just wide of the inside post:
The Irish were under pressure for long periods of the game but had a more fruitful second half period: The girls never gave up chasing an equaliser and it came seconds from the final whistle as the industrious Jessica Nolan swept the ball into the danger zone from the final corner kick of the game: The Republic sent everyone forward bar McQuillan as a packed box awaited the deliver: Nolan didn’t disappoint as an og from Amber Tullett saw the ball in the back of the English net as the match official blew for full time: 1/1 the finish in a very entertaining and close encounter: Jubilant scenes from the Irish supporters as the points were shared:
Republic of Ireland line/out v England: Amanda McQuillan, Lucy McCartan, Chloe Flynn (Niamh Farrelly, 23) Erica Byrne Dearbhaile Beirne, Jamie Finn (Capt), Eleanor Ryan Doyle, Roma McLaughlin, Jessica Nolan, Sinead Ryan (Lauren O’Callaghan, 45) Sorcha Ní Bhhraoain (Rachel Fitzmaurice, 54)
Match day three saw the Republic of Ireland have a rest period this morning while the other countries took to the field with a 10:30am kick off scheduled:
Northern Ireland enjoyed their first win of the tournament with a hard fought 1/0 victory over the Welsh while Scotland had a scoreless draw against England: The Scots had a goal ruled off side in the dying moments of the game which is good news for the Republic: The title race is wide open at this juncture with this evening’s games crucial in perhaps deciding an out/right favourite
O’Neill’s squad will face the host nation this evening (4:30pm) as the current holders will be in high spirits following their earlier win this morning: It is a must win for O’Neill’s girls if they are to stand a chance of capturing the title: Scotland are in fine form and they will field against Wales as England look on to the final day of preparations on Thursday morning:
The Republic’s final game in the tournament will see a ding dong battle with the Scots while England and Wales look forward to their clash: Northern Ireland will have to chance faith as their campaign comes to a close on Wednesday evening against their neighbouring counterparts:
Bob Docherty Cup, Queens Sport, Upper Malone, Queens University, Shaws Bridge
Results:
Monday, April 1, 2013, 4:30pm Northern Ireland 0/2 England
Monday, April 1, 2013, 4:30pm Wales 0/4 Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 2:00pm Northern Ireland 0/5 Scotland
Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 2:00pm England 1/1 Republic of Ireland
Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 10:30am Northern Ireland 1/0 Wales
Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 10:30am England 0/0 Scotland
Fixtures:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 4:30pm Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland
Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 4:30pm Scotland v Wales
Thursday, April 4, 2013, 10:30am England v Wales
Thursday, April 4, 2013, 10:30am Republic of Ireland v Scotland
Republic of Ireland U/15 Schools Development Squad:
Amanda McQuillan Beaufort College, Navan
Niamh Farrelly St: Joseph’s College, Lucan
Eleanor Ryan Doyle St: Joseph’s College, Lucan
Lauren O’Callaghan St: MacDara’s Community College, Templeogue
Lucy McCartan Loreto College, Mullingar
Danie Murray Lucan Community College
Dearbhaile Beirne Mohill Community College
Jamie Finn St: Finian’s Community College
Chloe Flynn St: Mary’s Holy Faith, Killester
Louise Creaven Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Salthill
Sorcha Ní Bhraonain Colaiste Choilmcille, Indreabhan, Gaillimhe
Rachel Fitzmaurice Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Convent of Mercy Roscommon
Jessica Nolan St: Louis Community School, Kiltimagh
Sinead Ryan St: Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross
Erica Byrne Balbriggan Community College
Olivia Nolan Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
Roma McLaughlin Moville Community College
Nimmy Chemaou Colaiste Cois Life, Lucan