Northern Ireland ‘B’ 0-5 Republic of Ireland
Erin McLaughlin (2, 37), Abbie Clarke (27), Kerry Brown (35, 45)
IT’S TWO WINS FROM TWO for Richard Berkeley’s Republic of Ireland Schools select as they put five past Northern Ireland ‘B’ at Ulster University, Jordanstown this afternoon (March 25). More importantly, it was another clean sheet as Leah Hayes Coen followed in Rugile AskaInyte footsteps by ensuring the deadlock.
Just as Glenties starlet Amy Boyle Carr netted for the Women’s U17s against Azerbaijan earlier in the day, so too did Donegal colleague’s Erin McLAUGHLIN (Carndonagh Community School) and Kerry BROWN (Moville Community College) on the double to bring about a real chance for Cup glory this season for the U15 Girls’ crew. Muckross College Park graduate Abbie CLARKE also got in on the action when she converted in superb fashion just before the interval.
In the second of the three games played this afternoon, the English put two past the Welsh without response and Scotland had their shooting boots on as they netted four in quick succession to see past Northern Ireland ‘A’.
The result sets the Republic up nicely for a showdown with 2016 Champions, England in the final series of games tomorrow morning as the winner takes all.
The Republic of Ireland had a new look side lining out this afternoon as Berkeley’s creativity was tested with the strong bench at his disposal. Seven changes were made to the team that defeated Scotland yesterday so it was an interesting challenge for the girls.
Berkeley wasn’t taking anything for granted as Abbie Clarke, Ellen Molloy, Jessie Stapleton and Captain Della Doherty were all retained in the starting line-up.
As host nation, Northern Ireland were permitted to include two teams into this season’s tournament and the younger age group didn’t disappoint although the score-line may flatter the visitors. The ‘B’ group comprise of mostly 2004’s who will be eligible again next season to compete abroad ensuing a positive step forward in the development of this age group for 2019. Northern Ireland’s Abbey Redmond(Carrickfergus Grammar) and Captain Caoimhe Mulholland (Assumption Grammar) were outstanding for Stephen Graham’s side and can take plenty of positives from today’s performance.
The Republic were gifted the perfect start after just two minutes of play when the lively Erin McLaughlin pounced on a loose clearance to slot home from an Abbie Clarke corner.
With quarter of an hour gone, Kilkenny’s playmaker Ellen Molloy was unlucky not to see her effort go in as the ball grazed the inside of the post, much to the relief of the Northern Ireland keeper.
Donnybrook dynamo Abbie Clarke sent a looping ball into the six yard line which surprisingly found itself in the back of the net, three minutes from the interval to double the visitors lead.
Moville’s Kerry Brown then made it three nil five minutes into the restart when she converted a sublime effort on her right peg following a wonderful through ball for St. Nathy’s scholar Kate O’Dowd
Two minutes later, Erin McLaughlin netted her second and the Republic of Ireland’s fourth with a brilliant solo effort before Brown bagged her very own brace fifteen minutes from time.
The impressive performance should give Berkeley’s staff a renewed confidence heading into their biggest test yet, as Claire Robinson’s side prove worthy opponents.
The Lionesses surprised the defending Champions Wales late on with a flurry of goals as Libbi Mae McInnes (Oxclose Academy) broke the initial deadlock midway through the second period while Emily Atkinson (Queen Elizabeth High School) bagged the insurance goal eight minutes from time.
A concern for the English will be the status of inform goalkeeper Kiya Webb (Shenley Brook End School) who had to retire due to injury. Will she be fit enough to claim her spot between the posts in the morning, only time will tell as physio Charlotte Doughty works her magic!
In the third game of the afternoon, Scotland bounced back from their opening day defeat at the hands of the Republic of Ireland by winning out four nil to the host’s ‘A’ select.
Bayley Hutchison (Kemnay Academy, Aberdeen) opened the scoring with the first of her two goals early on. Monica Forsyth of St. Ninian’s High grabbed the Scots second before Hutchison converted for her second and Scotland’s third of the day. A Jenna Penman (Aberdeen Grammar) special put the gloss on proceedings for Dave Thomson’s side.
The Scots will face Northern Ireland ‘B’ in Monday’s final series of matches while Wales entertain Northern Ireland ‘A’.
Who will prevail and be crowned 2018 Champions? England are the team to beat so it will prove the Republic of Ireland’s greatest triumph if they were to do a job tomorrow morning!
The last time the Republic of Ireland tasted success at this level was in 2010 when the Irish defeated the reigning Champions and host nation Scotland in Glasgow University to take the elusive title. A solitary goal courtesy of Moville Community College striker Gemma McGuinness ten minutes from time was enough to clinch the silverware.
Instrumental in the team’s success that year was team-mates Katie McCabe (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Sarah Rowe (St. Mary’s SS, Ballina), Amber Barrett (Loreto CS, Milford) and Schools Captain Chloe Mustaki(St. Kilian’s Deutsche Schule).
The squad were led by experience as Michael Gallagher (St. Joseph’s College, Athlone) managed the Class of 2010 alongside his two assistants Margaret Mulhall (Moville Community College) and Dave Collins(Alexandra College, Dublin).
Could this be the Republic of Ireland’s year to regain a foothold on the crown? Berkeley’s side are showing all the promise of a team capable of doing just that. All three games will kick off simultaneously at 11amsharp.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Leah Hayes Coen (Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West), Emer O’Neill (St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh), Emma O’Donoghue (Coláiste Muire, Ennis), Jessie Stapleton(Palmerstown Community School), Abbie Clarke (Muckross Park College, Donnybrook), Kate O’Dowd (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), Ellen Molloy (Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny), Della Doherty CAPTAIN (Coláiste Iosagain, Portarlington), Kate Slevin (Claregalway College), Kerry Brown (Moville Community College), Erin McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School)
SUBS USED | Shauna Brennan (Claregalway College) for Clarke (HT), Aoife Horgan (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion) for Molloy (HT), Therese Kinnevey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard) for Stapleton (38), Anna Fahey (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Ougherard) for McLaughlin (42), Muireann Devaney (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton) for Doherty (44)
SUBS NOT USED | Rugile AskaInyte (St. Mary’s Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin), Aoibheann Clancy (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles)
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
ENGLAND | Lana Timson, Kiya Webb, Safia Paraiso, Ruby Hughes, Emily Slater, Amber Treweek, Kira Hockley, Sally Ann Hitchen, Emily Atkinson, Poppy Pryor, Tamara Abbie Wilcock, Alyssa Mae Aherne, Lauren Hart, Mia Ross, Libbi Mae McInnes, Mary Collier, Bebe Smith, Lily Jackson.
SCOTLAND | Alicia Yates, Gail Gilmour, Robyn McCafferty, Lynsey Baillie, Paige McAllister, Jessica Broadrick, Jenna Penman, Mirin Easdon, Kate Nicolson, Monica Forsyth, Ellie-Jai Reid, Kirsty MacLean, Rebecca McAllister, Maria McAneny, Olivia Potter, Rosie McQuillan, Eilidh Adams, Bayley Hutchison
NORTHERN IRELAND ‘A’ | Jenna Corry (Forthill College), Kathryn McConnell (Kilkeel High School), Leah McAuley (St. Dominic’s Grammar School), Erin McGreevy (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Shona Davis (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Fi Morgan (Blessed Trinity College), Teegan Lynch (Captain, Holy Cross College), Cora Chambers (Lisneal College), Cora Morgan (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Lucy Andrews (Wallace High School), Rosie Zubier (Dominican College), Lauren Walsh (Ballyclare Grammar School), Amie Hill (Liverpool Academy), Cara Mervyn (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Anna Wilson (Rathmore Grammar), Katie Dickson (Down High School), Abbie McHenry (Belfast Royal Academy), Rosie Thompson (Mercy College)
NORTHERN IRELAND ‘B’ | Rachel Norney (St. Louise’s Comprehensive College), Kaia Moore (Limavady Grammar), Ella Haughey (Down High School), Tierna Bell (St. Genevieve’s High School), Aimee Neal (Fivemiletown College), Helen Parker (Wellington College), Ellie-Mae Dickson (Wallace High School), Caoimhe Mulholland (Captain, Assumption Grammar), Cara Tumelty (Assumption Grammar), Erin Montgomery (St. Colm’s High School), Eve Reilly (Bloomfield Collegiate), Leah Heaney (Lurgan Junior High), Abbey Redmond (Carrickfergus Grammar), Darcy Boyle (Belfast Girls’ Model), Ellie Tennyson (Laurelhill Community College), Zoe Rodgers (Wellington College), Tara Doherty (Holy Cross College), Lucy Girgan (Dalriada Grammar)
WALES | Safia Middleton-Patel, Lucy Farrell, Grace Anna Morris, Anna Bebb, Ffion Spence, Sadie Jones, Niamh Warrender, Olivia Barnett, Izzy Reddin, Isabella Reidford, Hollie Smith, Lucia Molinari, Beth McGowan, Zoe Smith, Zoe Collyer, Mary McAteer, Maria Francis-Jones, Libby Isaac, Carrie Jones
FIXTURES & RESULTS
All fixtures will take place at Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus
Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament
Northern Ireland ‘A’ 1-2 England, Pitch 4
Northern Ireland ‘B’ 0-1 Wales, Pitch 3
Scotland 0-4 Republic of Ireland, Pitch 2
Saturday, March 24, KO 4.30pm
Bob Docherty Cup Group Stages | U15 Girls’ International Tournament
Northern Ireland ‘A’ 0-4 Scotland, Pitch 4
Northern Ireland ‘B’ 0-5 Republic of Ireland, Pitch 3
England 2-0 Wales, Pitch 2
Sunday, March 25, KO 2pm
Bob Docherty Cup Play-offs | U15 Girls’ International Tournament
Northern Ireland ‘B’ vs Scotland Pitch 2
Wales vs Northern Ireland ‘A’ Pitch 3
England vs Republic of Ireland Pitch 4
Monday, March 26, KO 11am
Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour
| YEAR | WINNER | VENUE |
| 2002 | Republic of Ireland | Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
| 2003 | Scotland | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| 2004 | Scotland | Clare, Republic of Ireland |
| 2005 | Republic of Ireland | Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
| 2006 | Scotland | Dumfries, Scotland |
| 2007*** | Republic of Ireland | Wrexham, Wales |
| 2008 | Republic of Ireland | Salthill Devon, Galway |
| 2009 | Scotland | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2010 | Republic of Ireland | Glasgow, Scotland |
| 2011 | Northern Ireland | Cardiff, Wales |
| 2012 | Northern Ireland | AUL Complex, Dublin |
| 2013 | Scotland | Shaws Bridge, Belfast |
| 2014 | England | Repton School, Derbyshire |
| 2015 | Scotland | Toryglen, Glasgow |
| 2016 | England | Dragon Park, Wales |
| 2017 | Wales | AUL Complex, Dublin |
| *** | Renamed Bob Docherty Cup | |
