International Friendly | U15 Girls’
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Berkeley kick starts season with friendly opener
Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOOLS will take on Northern Ireland for a competitive outing this Saturday, February 17 at the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh with a 12 noon kick off scheduled.
Head Coach Richard Berkeley announced his Schools select a fortnight ago and the squad of 18 players will now test themselves against their Northern counterparts ahead of their clash with England in the annual John Read Cup which sees them travel to Stafford Town FC on March 10.
The two friendly encounters will set them up nicely ahead of their International tournament, the Bob Docherty Cup which will take place in Belfast on March 24 to 26.
Last season, the Republic of Ireland recorded a comprehensive victory over Northern Ireland in the impressive Dublin venue. Ryan Mullen’s side will see the return of four key players for this weekend’s game as Cora Morgan, Cara Mervyn, Anna Wilson and Teegan Lynch will all line out.
Berkeley’s opponents are a development squad that will feature on Saturday with the players selected from their Regional Excellence Centres throughout the North. It will definitely be a good run out for the Republic of Ireland who need some competitive football under their belt with a new look side starring.
The midfield trio of Aoibheann Clancy, Muireann Devaney and Kate Slevin were capped last season while forward pairing of Erin McLaughlin and Anna Fahey also impressed twelve months previously. No doubt Berkeley will experiment with his starting line up ahead of the International series in a month’s time. This manoeuvre may ensure a starting spot for some newbies at this weekend’s clash as he looks to set his mould on this year’s crew.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Therese Kinnevey & Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard), Kate Slevin & Shauna Brennan (Claregalway College/Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Kate O’Dowd (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), Emer O’Neill (St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh), Muireann Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Ellen Molloy (Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny), Abbie Clarke (Muckross Park College, Donnybrook), Della Doherty (Coláiste Iosagain, Portarlington), Leah Hayes Coen (Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastlewest), Aoife Horgan (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion), Emma O’Donoghue (Coláiste Muire, Ennis), Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Kerry Brown (Moville Community College), Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School), Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown Community School), Rugile AskaInyte (St. Mary’s Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin)
MANAGEMENT | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh)Coach Karen Byrne (St. Ultan’s, Navan) GK Coach Dave Rooney, Performance Analyst Emma Mullin (IT Sligo), Kit Person Karen Henry (Mulroy College, Milford), Physio Aoife Burke.
NORTHERN IRELAND | Jenna Corry, Kathern McConnell, Leah McCauley, Shona Davis, Erin McGreevy, Fi Morgan, Teegan Lynch, Cora Chambers, Cora Morgan, Lucy Andrews, Rosie Zubier, Leah Heaney, Cara Mervyn, Katie Dickson, Abbie McHenry, Rosie Thompson, Anna Wilson, Amie Hill
MANAGEMENT | Ryan Mullen (Head Coach), Michael Cooke (Assistant Coach), Martin Holland (Physio)
U15 Girls’ International Schedule
Training Camp
U15 Schools v U16 FAI (closed session)
Early March
John Read Cup | U15 Girls’ International Friendly
England vs Republic of Ireland
Strafford Town FC
Saturday, March 10, KO 3pm
Bob Docherty Cup | U15 Girls’ International Tournament
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Saturday, March 24, to Monday, March 26
END