Manorhamilton’s Muireann Devaney started up front for the Republic of Ireland U15 side as they retained the John Read Trophy following a comprehensive display against hosts England in Stafford Town FC on Saturday afternoon.
Its two wins on the bounce for Berkeley’s side as they overcame Northern Ireland 2-1 last month in his debut as Head Coach of the U15 Girls’ Republic of Ireland select taking over from Lorraine Counihan.
The Irish were impressive from the outset and produced several clear cut chances early on but it wasn’t until the half hour mark that Presentation SS, Kilkenny scholar Ellen Molloy headed home to break the deadlock.
Molloy added a second on the hour mark to give the visitors some breathing space in a physically demanding encounter.
The icing on the cake came two minutes from time when substitute Erin McLaughlin of Carndonagh CS came off the bench to convert the Republic of Ireland’s third of the day.
It was a very positive outing for the Irish which saw Berkeley use all his bench. The girls produced some fine defensive periods as well as being creative on the counter attack so all bodes well for the Bob Docherty Cup later this month.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Rugile AskaInyte (St. Mary’s Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin), Abbie Clarke (Muckross Park College, Donnybrook), Shauna Brennan (Claregalway College), Therese Kinnevey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard), Jessie Stapleton (Palmerstown Community School), Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Aoife Horgan (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion),Della Doherty CAPTAIN (Coláiste Iosagain, Portarlington),
Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard), Muireann Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Ellen Molloy (Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny)
SUBS USED | Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School) for Fahey (45), Emma O’Donoghue (Coláiste Muire, Ennis) for Kinnevey (45), Kate Slevin (Claregalway College) for Doherty (55), Kate O’Dowd(St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen) for Horgan (55), Leah Hayes Coen (Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West) for Askalnyte (64), Kerry Brown (Moville Community College) for Devaney (64), Emer O’Neill(St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh) for Molloy (64)
MANAGEMENT | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) Coach Karen Byrne (St. Ultan’s National School, Navan) GK Coach Scott Gaynor (Presentation SS, Wexford), Performance Analyst Emma Mullin (IT Sligo), Kit Person Karen Henry (Mulroy College, Milford), Physio Aoife Burke.
