Bob Docherty Cup set to kick off on Sunday in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh

Bob Docherty Cup | U15 Girls’ International

Press Release: Thursday, April 6, 2017

Republic of Ireland to host Bob Docherty Cup

FAI SCHOOLS will welcome their counterparts from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to the impressive surrounds of the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh this weekend.

The International tournament will cater for the best U15 Schools’ players in their respective jurisdictions. The four day event will kick off on Sunday evening, April 9 at 6pm.

As host nation, the Republic of Ireland have invited club representatives Shelbourne Ladies to participate in this year’s event. Last season saw hosts Wales invite their younger age group (2001) to compete alongside their 2002 Select in Dragon Park. Similarly, a MGL Select participated in this tournament when FAI Schools last facilitated the competition.

This will be the fourth occasion for the FAI Schools Association to play host having previously catered for the event as far back as 2004 in Co. Clare when Scotland secured the title for a second consecutive year. Four years later it was the turn of Salthill Devon FC, Galway which saw Michael Gallagher’s Captain Olivia Smartt (Mount Sackville) lift the Cup for the Republic of Ireland.

Alongside Smartt that day were colleagues Megan Campbell (Our Lady’s College, Drogheda), Ciara Grant (Loreto Convent, Letterkenny), Dora Gorman (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill), Ciara O’Brien (St. Angela’s Waterford) and Aileen Gilroy (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross).  It was the Republic’s fourth title win having captured the Cup the previous year in Wrexham (2007) and Ballymena (2005 and 2002).

2010 was the last occasion in which the Republic of Ireland were crowned Champions as Keeva Keenan (St. Michael’s SS, Finglas), Jessica Gargan (St. Finian’s CC, Swords), Amy O’Connor (St. Vincent’s SS, Cork), Aisling Frawley (St. Angela’s Waterford), Chelsea Noonan (Christ King Girls’ SS, Cork), Amber Barrett (Loreto CS, Milford) and Roma McLaughlin (Moville CC) all starred for the Schools outfit.  

The Clonshaugh venue last hosted in 2012 when Northern Ireland sealed an impressive two in-a-row. It will be interesting to see if home advantage will help Counihan and her team this time around. The Limerick native has managed the squad for the last four seasons with a runners up medal in the Bob Docherty Cup in 2016, 2015 and 2014. She may be due a gold at this stage of development!

As well as the Irish players donning the Irish jersey, it will be a massive occasion for Shelbourne Ladies, who will no doubt relish the opportunity afforded to them. The club have tasted recent success having captured the FAI Women’s U16s Cup last weekend with a victory over a much fancied Enniskerry in Home Farm FC, Whitehall.

Many of the players involved last week for Shels will line out for the Republic of Ireland with Ellie Ferguson (Coláiste na nInse, Bettystown), Emily Whelan (Ardgillan CC) who picked up POTM in that U16 Cup tie, Jessica Ziu (Larkin CC), Mia Dodd (Presentation SS, Warrenpoint) and Taylor White (St. Dominic’s College, Cabra) all selected for Lorraine Counihan’s side. Ironically Enniskerry club-mates Shauna Carroll and Club Captain Nadine Clare will line out alongside the quintet on Sunday when the Republic of Ireland face Wales in their opening match.

Shelbourne Manager Casey McQuillan will opt for a new look side as he enters the contest with a select from 2001, 2002 and 2003 at his disposal. The club will have a series opener as they face defending Champions England on Sunday evening. The crunch encounter will provide him with an opportunity to assess his players on the big occasion before they take on Northern Ireland on Monday evening.

Counihan will be without the services of her most influential starlet as Éabha O’Mahony (Mount Mercy College, Cork) was ruled out last month haven taken ill with appendicitis while on International duty with Dave Bell’s U17s. The youngster is recovering well but unfortunately won’t make a return for this campaign. The Irish will however be boosted by the return of last season’s duo Zara Foley (Ballincollig CS) and Jessica Ziu (Larkin CC). Counihan will reply on their experience to settle the team ahead of the tournament showcase against the Welsh Dragons. 

Wales will come into this tie with some notable players making a welcome return. Lucy Attwood played for their first team in Dragon Park last season with colleague’s Ellie Mai Sanford, Hayley Hoare, Grace Corne, Aneeka Bardsley, goalkeeper Deanna Lewis and Jasmine Simpson all featuring for their second tier squad and making the step up this season. Head Coaches Kat Lovett and Matthew Clement will be hoping that the girls can upset the hosts with a full three points to kick start their campaign on the right note. 

Scotland would like to emulate the success that their U19s are currently having at the Elite Phase in Limerick when they enter the fray on Monday evening against the Republic of Ireland. The squad have been selected since January and have enjoyed an excellent campaign thus far with a number of competitive friendlies under their belt as well as their annual trip to Jersey which reaped dividends for David Thomson’s charges. Mearns Castle High scholar Cara Henderson will make a return from their 2016 squad and will be one to watch out for come match day!

Defending Champions England will see Claire Robinson at the helm this season ably assisted by Stephanie Libby and the experienced Andy Williams. The well-polished unit enjoyed a training camp in Porto this season as well a number of competitive outings against some top class opposition.  Their preparations were hampered slightly by the late withdrawal of Molly Bull due to injury which will see only 15 players make the trip to Dublin.

Northern Ireland will make the short journey South to Dublin with a startling six squad members making another appearance at the Bob Docherty Cup as Leah McAvoy, Joely Andrews, Carla Devine, Aimee Lee Peachey, Rachel McLaren and Jessica Magee all feature for Gail Redmond’s side.  The Northerners will have an opportunity to review the Shelbourne crew on Sunday before they feature against them on Monday evening. The next test will be England on Tuesday afternoon before the play-off’s Wednesday morning.

The Bob Docherty Cup is always highly contested with some very close calls in recent years. The Republic of Ireland just missed out on the silverware last season as England’s Holly Manders’ second half strike was the only difference between the two sides.  

The competition has seen four of the five nations lift the title in its 15 year history. Top of the leader board is Scotland with six titles to their credit (2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2015) closely followed by the Republic of Ireland on five (2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010). Could Counihan and her Schools’ Select match the Scottish record on Wednesday morning with the final day of competition kicking off early? They will have to overcome the challenge of Wales and Scotland first and that’s no easy feat as both sides are quality opposition who too have their eye on the top prize.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Ria McPhilbin (Coláiste Iognáid),Courtney Maguire (St. Laurence's College, Loughlinstown), Mia Dodd (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), Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Zara Foley (Ballincollig Community School), Sophie Liston (Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West), Kelsey Munroe (Ballinrobe Community School), Kate O’Dowd (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), Emilia Koziel (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill), Muireann Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard), Emily Whelan (Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan)

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

SHELBOURNE LADIES FC | Jodie Leavy, Shannon Guildea, Nicole Keogh, Jess Carroll, Jodie McQuillan, Sarah O’Sullivan, Kerri Duffy, Chloe Johnston, Faye Larkin, Lucy Edwards, Lara Walshe, Taylor Massey, Simone Peat, Sophie Murray, Rebecca Cooke, Emma Ring, Zoe Leonard, Ellen Tester

MANAGEMENT | Casey McQuillan, Karen O’Connell, Keith Hennessy, Stephen Gray, Jason Dunbar, Kayleigh Cooling, Rebecca Fitzsimons

WALES | Lucy Attwood, Aneeka Bardsley, Grace Burke, Grace Corne, Grace Godwin, Phoebe Hampson, Hayley Hoare, Carrie Jones, Cerys Jones, Ellen Jones, Deanna Lewis, Esther Morgan, Ellie-Mai Sanford, Elena Scrivens, Jasmine Simpson, Josie Smith, Samantha Wynne, Anna Bebb

MANAGEMENT | Matthew Clement, Kat Lovett, Loren Dykes, Jack Long, Charlotte Preen, Clare Daley, Wayne Peter, Josh Harfoot, Garther Rogers, Alan Morgan

NORTHERN IRELAND | Maddie Clifford, Kirsty Cameron, Ellie Duffy, Rachel McLaren, Jessica Magee, Joely 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, Andy Smyth, Amie Campbell, Leah McCready.

ENGLAND | Lucy Williamson, Arabella Suttie, Deerna Goodwin, Melissa Robertson, Emily Wallace, Jasmine McQuade, Emma Harries, Sophie Peskett, Gemma Lawley, Georgia Brown, Jess Brown, Abbie Fenton, Libby Gilmore, Sharna Wilkinson, Lexie Harrison

MANAGEMENT | Claire Robinson, Stephanie Libbey, Will Smith, Andy Williams, Hannah Cornell

SCOTLAND | Georgia Crooks, Mhairi Crooks, Hannah Cunningham, Carly Girasoli, Cara Henderson, Rebecca McAllister, Philippa McCallum, Laura McCartney, Chelsea McEachran, Karsey McGlinchey, Kathleen McGovern, Rosie McQuillan, Aisha Maughen, Aaliyah Jay Meach, Hannah Scott, Eilidh Shore, Jodie Strachen, Alicia Yates

MANAGEMENT | David Thomson, Jim Bettley, Gillian Duffy, Mark Grant, Kirsty Hendry

FIXTURES

All fixtures will take place at the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh

Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

Republic of Ireland vs Wales

Shelbourne vs England

Sunday, April 9, KO 6pm

Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

Republic of Ireland vs Scotland

Shelbourne vs Northern Ireland

Monday, April 10, KO 6pm

Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

Wales vs Scotland

Northern Ireland vs England

Tuesday, April 11, KO 2pm

Bob Docherty Cup Play-offs | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

5 vs 6

3 vs 4

Wednesday, April 12, KO 10.30am

Bob Docherty Cup Final | U15 Girls’ International Tournament

1 vs 2

Wednesday, April 12, KO 11.00am

Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour

END