Limerick side Shelbourne prepare for National Cup quarter-final

SHELBOURNE'S U12 girls side fly the Limerick flag on Saturday when they face Kilkenny's Evergreen FC in the quarter-final of the SFAI National Trophy at Shelbourne Park.

The Shelbourne girls are the first competitive schoolgirls team in the clubs 95 year history and are set to be one of the most successful teams in the club this year. 

The Limerick city club has made huge strides in attracting more girls from the locality to take up the sport. In just 18 months,  the number of girls playing has grown to over 65 across all age groups. 

Ahead of Saturday's game, Shelbourne AFC chairman Tony Cusack highlighted the work done by the club's coaches in respect of girls football in recent times

"All of us at the club are delighted with the growth and success of our girl's teams, great credit is due to all the coaches, parents, and local schools for their work and dedication.

"It is indeed exciting times at the club with over 25 teams competing at all levels of football and the start of the development of our grounds at the LPYMA. Best wishes to our young ladies in the National Trophy quarter-final."

The game at Shelbourne Park has a 1pm start on Saturday. The Shelbourne squad for the game is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Allannah Buckley  

Defence: Zoe Collins, Aoife Ryan, Lily O'Brien Norris, Lotti Walsh, Elise Gill, Lucy O'Neill and Grace Ryan.

Midfield: Grace Geary, Orlaith Sheehan, Anna Enright, Roisin O'Connell, and Kate Daly.

Forwards: Annie Engels, Eliza Woods, Taylor Moore, Ruth Collins, Maggie Power, and Emily Chappell.