Limerick duo in Rep of Ireland U15 squad for Northern Ireland friendly

TWO Limerick-based players have been included in the Republic of Ireland Schools select which will take on their Northern Ireland counterparts this Sunday, March 5 in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh (KO 2pm).

The Republic of Ireland have enjoyed a few friendly matches against Women’s National League Under 17 club selects in recent weeks but this will be the first International test for the young scholars.

Goalkeeper Laura FANNING (St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk) comes back into the fold having featured for Republic of Ireland Under 16s in recent weeks alongside Leinster team-mate Anna BUTLER (St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock) and Chloe WALLACE (Coláiste Nano Nagle, Sexton Street, Limerick).

Richard Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) has named nineteen players for this clash but there are injury doubts over two students as Carla MULDOON (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue) and Maddison McGUANE (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally).

This encounter will prove vital for Berkeley and his management team as they make the final preparations to the eighteen player squad that will travel to Glasgow for the Bob Docherty Cup in early April.

The Republic of Ireland will be boosted by the return of three International Schools players as Chloe WALLACE and Leah McGRATH (St. Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary) featured in the same outing last year. Sarah McCAFFREY (Largy College, Clones) was named in the squad twelve months previously but didn’t participate due to injury. She will be hoping for some minutes this time around.

In 2022, the Republic of Ireland suffered defeat with two late goals in either half to cancel out the Republic’s impressive start in Midgley Park, Belfast.

Carndonagh CS starlet Cache CRUMLISH got on the end of a Kiera Sena (Coláiste an Chraoibín, Fermoy) through ball to slot past Kate Smith in the Northern Ireland goal with just four minutes on the clock to set the Republic of Ireland up nicely.

However, a sublime set-piece from Jessica McGUINNESS just before the interval levelled proceedings at the break.

The Northern Ireland match winner came courtesy of Darcie McNEILL who slotted home five minutes from time. 

McGUINNESS returns to the Dublin venue and will be one to watch out for as Stevie Graham hopes for a second consecutive victory over the Republic.

It’s a massive occasion for the players involved and they’ll be looking to turn on the style in the Capital and nail down their seat on the short flight to Scotland next month.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Jenna WILLOUGHBY (Ratoath College),  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), Lily-Anne O’MEARA (Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré), Ava MULLINS (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Leah McGRATH (St. Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary), Ella KELLY (Tallaght Community School), Laura FALVEY (Mounthawk Community School, Tralee), Aoife FENNELL (Our Lady’s School, Terenure), Abigail BRADSHAW (St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon), Grace EHINGER (Borrisokane Community School), Aisling MEEHAN (Hold Child Secondary School, Killiney), Maddison McGUANE (Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally), Laura FANNING (St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk), Sarah McCAFFREY (Largy College, Clones), Carla MULDOON (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Anna BUTLER (St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock)

MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard BERKELEY (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), Coach Katie McCARTHY (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig), 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 | Isla MITCHELL (Bangor Academy & Sixth Form College), Zara MAGUIRE (Kilkeel High School), Emma BROWN (Dominican College, Belfast), Lillie HORNER (Belfast Model School for Girls), Mirijana KARRABECAJ (St. Joseph’s College, Belfast), Chloe BECKINSALE (Belfast High School), Caitlin CARLISLE (Carrickfergus Grammar School), Sophie HUTCHINSON (Ballymoney High School), Sophie POLLOCK (Lurgan College), Jessica McGUINNESS (Edmund Rice College), Niamh HASSAN (St. Mary’s Limavady High School), Charlotte HAVERN (St. Paul’s College, Bessbrook), Lucy KELLY (Mercy College, Belfast), Mia REILLY (Blessed Trinity College, Belfast), Kayla Ann CLAYTON (Tandragee Junior High School), Anna WALSH (Dominican College, Belfast), Caitie McGURNAGHAN (Rathmore Grammar School), Maya STACHURA (Edmund Rice College)

MANAGEMENT | Stevie GRAHAM, Heather MEARNS