Scotland crowned Bob Docherty Cup Champions

SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Under 15 Girls’ International Tournament

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Scotland win Bob Docherty Cup

Scotland 2-1 England

Northern Ireland 0-2 Republic of Ireland

Lily Anne O’Meara (34, 43)

SCOTLAND were crowned 2023 Bob Docherty Cup Champions following their two-one victory over England in Parklea Playing Fields, Glasgow this afternoon (April 6).

Both Nations were level on five points each coming into the final round of fixtures this afternoon with a win and a draw (and bonus point penalty shoot-out win against the Republic) to their credit. So it was winner take all in the contest.

The hosts last won the tournament back in 2015 when Toryglen hosted so home advantage suited them again this year.

In the other fixture, the Republic of Ireland saw themselves claim a two-nil win over Northern Ireland following a brace from Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré scholar Lily Anne O’MEARA.

The squad had previously drew one apiece with Scotland and England and lost out on the bonus points on offer in both their respective penalty shoot-outs.

It was nice for the squad to finish on a high following their hard work all season. Richard Berkeley’s side will finally relinquish their title following huge success last year and in 2018 and 2019. COVID-19 ensured no competition took place in 2020 and 2021.

The Northern Ireland contingency didn’t manage to claim any points this season but gave a great account of themselves especially in their final outing this afternoon.

It was honours even until the last minute of the first half when Lily Anne O’MEARA hit the net with a long ball from Leah McGrath following some excellent build-up play at the back with Captain Chloe Wallace combining well with keeper Laura Fanning to see a well worked goal before the interval.

The Republic of Ireland extended their lead through Lily Anne O’MEARA again as she got her head on the end of a Grace Ehinger free-kick to slot home from close range, eight minutes into the restart.

Berkeley used his bench with good effect which saw all players get ample game time. The only one to loss out was Aoife Fennell as she got a knock to the head in the game against England so was rested for the final fixture of the tournament.

The young scholars will have enjoyed their first taste of International football at Under 15s level and will hopefully look to push on with the FAI Women’s Under 16s squad and further afield in the years to come.

UNDER-15 GIRLS’ REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS  | Laura FANNING (St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk), Kate JONES (Coláiste Muire, Ennis), Aibhlinn COTTER (Kilrush Community School), Chloe WALLACE © (Coláiste Nano Nagle, Sexton Street, Limerick), Heather LOOMES (Jesus & Mary Secondary, Salerno, Salthill), Abigail BRADSHAW (St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon), Grace EHINGER (Borrisokane Community College) Lily-Anne O’MEARA (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré) Leah McGRATH (St. Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary) Laura FALVEY (Mounthawk Community School, Tralee) Madison McGUANE (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally)

SUBS USED | Jenna WILLOUGHBY (Ratoath College) for Fanning (HT),  Ava MULLINS (Calasanctius College, Oranmore) for McGuane (HT), Ella KELLY (Tallaght Community School) for Falvey (HT), Sarah McCAFFREY (Largy College, Clones) for McGrath (49), Anna BUTLER (St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock) for O’Meara (49), Aisling MEEHAN (Hold Child Secondary School, Killiney) for Loomes (49)

SUB NOT USED | Aoife FENNELL (Our Lady’s School, Terenure) injured

MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) Coach Katie McCarthy (Ballincollig Community School), Coach Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana) GK Coach Emmet Peyton (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Equipment Manager Tessa Mullins (Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew), Performance Analyst Aoife Gibbons (IT Tralee), Physio Hannah Stewart

NORTHERN IRELAND | Annie Smith, Caite McGurnaghan, Caitlin Carlisle, Sophie Pollock, Jessica McGuinness, Niamh Hassan, Kayli Ann Clayton, Sophie Hutchinson, Lucy Kelly, Maja Stachura, Charlotte Heveron

SUBS | Lillie Horner, Chloe Beckinsale, Mia Snoddy, Anna Walsh, Isla Mitchell, Ellie McLarnon, Natnicha Mills

MANAGEMENT | Stephen Graham, Heather Mearns, Stuart Irvine, Dervla Murphy

MATCH OFFICIAL | John Paul McGovern (Glasgow)

RESULTS

Sunday, April 2 | Match Day 1 KO 4pm | Parklea Playing Fields

Republic of Ireland 1-1 Scotland (Scots won 3-2 on pens)

England 5-0 Northern Ireland

Tuesday, April 4 | Match Day 2 KO 1pm | Renfrew Juniors FC

Northern Ireland 0-2 Scotland

Tuesday, April 4 | Match Day 2 KO 4pm | Renfrew Juniors FC

England 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Eng won 6-5 on pens)

Thursday, April 6 | Match Day 3 KO 1pm | Parklea Playing Fields

Scotland 2-1 England

Northern Ireland 0-2 Republic of Ireland

SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour

END