International Friendly | U15 Girls’
Press Release: Sunday, February 26, 2017
Republic of Ireland 7-1 Northern Ireland
Anna Fahey (7, 29), Shauna Carroll (25),
Erin McLaughlin (28), Jessica Ziu (30),
Eabha O’Mahony (Pen 63), Sophie Liston (70) Teegan Lynch (68)
Although the score-line was quite flattering, the U15 Girls’ Schools select did extremely well to overcome Northern Ireland in appalling weather conditions in the AUL Complex this afternoon (February 26).
The wind and the rain hampered the proceedings slightly but the score-line more than made up for the stark conditions.
St. Paul’s Oughterard scholar Anna Fahey opened the Republic of Ireland’s account with seven minutes on the clock as she netted from close range with a superb strike.
Northern Ireland came very close to getting an equaliser ten minutes later as Cora Morgan made a delightful run down the right wing but her effort on target shaved the outside of the post much to the relief of goalkeeper Neve Scanlon (Deele College, Raphoe).
The hosts then doubled their lead 25 minutes in as Shauna Carroll of Loreto, Foxrock clipped the ball past netminder Mandy Clifford.
A brace then followed as Erin McLaughlin scored three minutes later from a well weighted pass from Ballincollig’s Zara Foley, 3-0 to Counihan’s crew.
Anna Fahey secured her second of the afternoon and the Republic of Ireland’s fourth 60 seconds later.
Larkin CC’s Jessica Ziu made it 5-0 with five minutes to play in the first half as an Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation SS, Thurles) free kick sat nicely for Ziu to place goal-bound without hesitation.
As Counihan’s extended squad are still trialling as part of their preparations for the Bob Docherty Cup, the Republic of Ireland opted for a new look second half with a significant turnover of players to finish out the game.
Captain Eabha O’Mahony (Mount Mercy College, Cork) converted from the spot on 63 minutes to claim a sixth for the Republic.
The visitors were rewarded for their endeavours as Teegan Lynch scored two minutes from time for Gail Redmond’s side.
Newcastle West girl Sophie Liston capitalised on the Republic of Ireland’s majority possession to net their seventh of the game right at the death.
Counihan and her management staff will be delighted that all the players featured today, with some major positives from the game.
The focus will now turn to their encounter with England on March 12 as the extended squad will be whittled down to 18. The management staff will have to examine their options ahead of this friendly as Ardgillan student Emily Whelan will miss this crunch game owing to other sporting commitments but it should mark the return of Dominican College starlet Emilia Koziel as she returns from injury.
A final session on March 25 will put the finishing touches to the squad ahead of the Bob Docherty Cup which is scheduled for April 9 to 12 in the AUL Complex.
POTM | Dave Bell (WU17 Head Coach) was on hand to announce the Player of the Match following the game. An impressive performance from Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown’s pupil Ellie FERGUSON saw her secure an Irish jersey courtesy of International star Sophie Perry.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Courtney Maguire (St. Laurence's College, Loughlinstown), Mia Dodds (Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount), Ellie Ferguson (Coláiste na hInse, Laytown), Nadine Clare & Shauna Carroll (both Loreto Secondary School, Foxrock), Taylor White (St. Dominic’s College, Cabra), Jessica Ziu (Larkin CC, Cathal Brugha Street), Kayla Brady (Wilson's Hospital School, Multyfarnham), Emily Whelan (Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan), Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Zara Foley (Ballincollig Community School), Sophie Liston (Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West), Eabha O’Mahony (Mount Mercy College, Cork), Ria McPhilbin (Coláiste Iognáid), Kelsey Munroe (Ballinrobe Community School), Kate O’Dowd (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghdereen), Muireann Devanney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard), Neve Scanlon (Deele College, Raphoe), Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School)
MANAGEMENT | 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, Physio, Aoife LYNCH, Video Analyst
NORTHERN IRELAND | Maddie Clifford, Kirsty Cameron, Ellie Duffy, Rachel McLaren, Jessica Magee, Lucy Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Toni Leigh Finnegan, Casey Howe, Carla Devine, Leah McEvoy , Cora Morgan, Cara Mervyn, Anna Wilson, Teegan Lynch, Jessica Rea, Erin Canavann, Aimelee Peachey
MANAGEMENT | Gail Redmond, Danielle McDowell, Imogen Porter and Andy Smyth
REFEREE: Orla Devaney (Dublin)
