Limerick duo inspire Rep of Ireland U15s to Bob Docherty Cup win over Northern Ireland

TWO Limerick teenagers featured for the Republic of Ireland U15 side which completed their Bob Docherty Cup schedule of fixtures with a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland at the Parklea Playing Fields, Glasgow.

Chloe Wallace, of Coláiste Nano Nagle, Sexton Street, captained the Rep of Ireland U15 to victory in their final group fixture in the SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup Under 15 Girls’ International Tournament, while Madison McGuane, of Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally, also also included in the Rep of Ireland starting line-up for the game.

A brace of goals from Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré student Lily Anne O’Meara guided the Republic of Ireland girls to victory on Thursday.

The Rep of Ireland 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.

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 corner 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 took a knock in the game against England so was rested for the final fixture of the tournament.

The young students 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).