3 Tipperary players on ROI squad for U15 Girls Tournament
Athlone Town FC will host the 2024 SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup in the Under 15 Girls’ International Tournament.
The Republic of Ireland Schools will enjoy home advantage this season with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland competing in this year’s campaign.
Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) has named a squad of 18 players for the campaign.
The squad have enjoyed a few trial games in the lead up to the tournament and the girls have bounded well in the run up to the International series.
The final trial game will see the Republic of Ireland face Athlone Town AFC Under 17’s WNL side on Monday, March 18 in the Stadium at 2pm. It will be a valuable exercise for Berkley and his staff as they assess several players in key positions. He will also have to assess Kassie McLOUGHLIN’s progress following an injury sustained in a club game last week. He’s hopeful the Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle student will be fit for the series in less than a fortnight’s time.
Madison McGUANE of Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally is the sole survivor from last year’s squad. The young Limerick student netted a brace in a friendly against the North last week with Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick pupil Eva LOFTUS also getting on the scoresheet to win 3-1 in Belfast. A good boost for the squad as they look to keep that winning streak alive.
Young guns Kaitlyn DELAHUNTY (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré) and Keelin COMISKEY (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue) have been involved with the Republic of Ireland Under 16s setup in recent months and should add some valuable experience to Berkeley’s charges.
The impressive Sophie BYRNE should bring some local interest in the squad as she attends Coláiste Chiaráin in the town as well as lining out for neighbouring Willow Park FC.
Ciara MILTON (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) made a great recovery from the injury she sustained at the end of the Interprovincial series to see her cement her place in final squad.
In the FAI Schools domestic calendar, you have Presentation College, Athenry star Abbie DUFFY selected at International level. Her School will compete in the FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup Final tomorrow against Athlone Community College in Athlone Town AFC.
Duffy will look to emulate the success of colleague Molly KIRWAN as the young Presentation Secondary School, Thurles player collected a winner’s medal in the FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup decider last week against Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in Dundalk last week.
Berkeley has an impressive record in this competition. The Tallaght native had a wonderful introduction at the helm capturing a double two years in a row with the Republic netting the John Read Trophy and Bob Docherty Cup in 2018 and 2019.
His winning streak was hampered in March 2020 when he lost the John Read Trophy to England in Abbotstown. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit a week later and put a halt to all Schools International football.
He came back in 2022 to ensure success for a third consecutive year of action with a glorious victory in Newcastle.
Previous players in this tournament to feature in recent years include Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh CS), Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown CS), Ellen Molly (Presentation SS, Kilkenny) and Abbie LARKIN (Ringsend College)
As well as more established Internationals such as Katie McCABE (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Amber BARRETT (Loreto CS, Milford) and Schools Captain Chloe MUSTAKI (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh). Katie’s sister Lauryn also lined out for the Schools select representing Tallaght Community School in 2022.
The pedigree of footballers will excite as the four Nations do battle for the coveted 2024 title.
The Republic will kick off the series against some tough opposition in reigning Champions Scotland on Monday, March 25 at 10am. This will quickly be followed by Northern Ireland verses England at 12 noon.
Day Two will see Scotland feature against Northern Ireland at 3pm while the Republic of Ireland will host England at 5pm. Both teams will compete for the John Read Cup in this encounter also.
A rest day ensues on Wednesday and the series will conclude on Thursday, March 28 with England against Scotland in the 10am fixture while the Republic of Ireland will take on Northern Ireland at 12 noon.
Berkeley will be hoping these future starlets will be in the running for a podium finish on Thursday afternoon.
UNDER 15 GIRLS’ REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir), Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow), Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Isabella Talotti (St. Mary’s College, Naas), Sarah Reynolds (Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara), Molly Kirwan (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Mia Murtagh (Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon), Maisie Quinn (St. Farnan’s Post Primary School, Prosperous), Sophie Byrne (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Kaitlyn Delahunty (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré), Keelin Comiskey (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Eva Loftus (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick), Madison McGuane (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally), Anna McGough (Claregalway College), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Kassie McLoughlin (Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle), Karla Moore (Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane)
MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), Coach Katie McCarthy (Coláiste na Toirbhírte, Bandon), Coach Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), GK Coach Emmet Peyton (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Performance Analyst Della Doherty, Physio Cianna Hickey.
FIXTURES
Monday, March 25 | Match Day 1
Republic of Ireland vs Scotland KO 10am
Northern Ireland vs England KO 12 noon
Tuesday, March 26 | Match Day 2
Scotland vs Northern Ireland KO 3pm
Republic of Ireland vs England KO 5pm
Thursday, March 28 | Match Day 3
England vs Scotland KO 10am
Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland KO 12 noon
SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour
YEARWINNERVENUE
2002Republic of Ireland
2003Scotland
2004Scotland
2005Republic of Ireland
2006Scotland
2007***Republic of Ireland
2008Republic of Ireland
2009Scotland
2010Republic of Ireland
2011Northern Ireland
2012Northern Ireland
2013Scotland
2014England
2015Scotland
2016England
2017Wales
2018Republic of Ireland
2019Republic of Ireland
2020NACOVID-19
2021NACOVID-19
2022Republic of Ireland
2023Scotland
***Renamed Bob Docherty Cup