Counihan names squad ahead of English friendly

U15 Girls’ International Friendly

Press Release: Saturday, February 27, 2016

England vs Republic of Ireland

Bury FC

Sunday, March 6, KO 11am

LORRAINE COUNIHAN has announced her squad ahead of the England friendly next weekend. The girls travel to Manchester on Saturday to take on their hosts in the final competitive friendly before the Bob Docherty Tournament in early April.

The Schools select recorded a narrow 1-0 victory against Northern Ireland last weekend at Oriel Park, Dundalk FC and Counihan and her management team will be looking to build on that performance with another solid display. Donegal native Tyler Toland will be hoping for a run out having just returned from injury. The Deele College starlet was capped last season alongside Aoife Lynagh, Meghan Hengerer, Louise Masterson and Amy Boyle Carr.

The Republic of Ireland hosted England last season in Home Farm FC. The visitors snatched victory with a wonder goal from substitute Miri Taylor early in the second half which was enough to seal the win.  Counihan’s crew did manage an equalizer on the hour mark as Amy Boyle Carr’s screamer on the edge of the box found the top corner only for the goal to be disallowed. Aoife Lynagh’s corner was deemed to have floated over the end line before coming back off the crossbar for the St. Columba’s scholar to volley home.

The Irish will be hoping to give a better account of themselves away from home but know it will be a very difficult endeavor.  Counihan added “the English are very difficult to breakdown. The squad last season were very physical, well organized and a technically gifted outfit. I believe they’ve had a week in Valencia during the mid-term to play a number of friendly games, recording some notable results. We look forward to testing ourselves against the best”. 

Former England International Rachel Yankee is involved with the English setup again this season and her experience and advice to the youngster will be a great motivation for them ahead of the International series. The Republic of Ireland and England have been drawn in separate groups for the Bob Docherty Tournament. The Republic of Ireland will be facing a Welsh (2001) side as well as Northern Ireland while England have reigning Champions Scotland and Wales’ second tier team (2002) as the four day tournament kicks off on April 1.

Next week’s competitive fixture is excellent preparation for the girls as they have their final training session in Dublin on Saturday, March 19. The finishing touches will be applied to the squad before they travel to Wales in pursuit of glory! Best of luck to the players and management.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:  Amy BOYLE CARR (St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties), Doireann FAHEY (Ardscoil Rathangan), Louise MASTERSON (Holy Family CS, Rathcoole), Leah McHUGH (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford), Eabha O’MAHONY (Mount Mercy College, Cork), Isibéal CAROLAN (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush), Aisling SPILLANE (The Kings Hospital, Palmerstown), Alannah McAVOY (Loreto Secondary School, Bray), Tyler TOLAND (Deele College, Raphoe), Meghen HENGERER, Lucia LOBATO, Aoife LYNAGH (all Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Salthill), Maria O’SULLIVAN, Zara FOLEY (both Ballincollig Community School), Jessica ZIU (Larkin Community College), Sinéad DONOVAN (Claregalway Community School), Rachel KELLY (Manor House School, Raheny), Rachel O’REGAN (Carrigaline Community School)

MANAGEMENT STAFF: Lorraine COUNIHAN, Manager (Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant), Maureen O’DONNELL, Assistant Manager (Deele College, Raphoe), Richard BERKELEY, Coach (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), David ROONEY, GK Coach, Aoife BURKE & Angela KENNEALLY, Physios, Mark BARRY, Video Analyst (IT Carlow)

Bob Docherty Cup (U15 Girls’ International)

Newport Stadium & Dragon Park, Wales

Friday, April 1

Wales (02) vs Scotland, Newport Stadium, 4pm

Wales (01) vs Republic of Ireland, Dragon Park, 6pm

Saturday, April 2

Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland, Dragon Park, 2pm

Wales (02) vs England, Newport Stadium, 4pm

Sunday, April 3

Wales (01) vs Northern Ireland, Dragon Park, 12 noon

Scotland vs England, Newport Stadium, 2pm

Monday, April 4

1 vs 2, 3 vs 4, 5 vs 6, Newport Stadium, 11am

Bob Docherty Tournament – Roll of Honour

Republic of Ireland runners up in 2015 and 2014