Limerick teenager nets crucial winner as Republic of Ireland claim Bob Docherty Cup

A LIMERICK teenager played a starring role as the Republic of Ireland overcame hosts Northern Ireland in a highly entertaining five goal thriller at Greenisland FC to lift the prestigious Bob Docherty Cup.

Ellen Goggin, of Crescent College Comprehensive, captained the Republic of Ireland U15 side in their exciting 3-2 victory over Northern Ireland. The highly-rated Goggin, of Treaty United, scored one of the Republic's three goals in the game.

Scotland defeated England 3-1 in University Ulster, Jordanstown in the day's other fixture to finish second.

It was an impressive three wins from three in the four day tournament as Richard Berkeley’s side defeated England 2-1 in their opening game while they overcame Scotland 2-0. They concluded their Cup success with a difficult 3-2 victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday morning to ensure nine points from their three outings.

It was double Cup success for the Republic of Ireland crew as they won their encounter against England, while playing for the annual John Read Trophy honours. A feat that the Republic of Ireland enjoyed in 2018, Berkeley’s debut season in charge.  

The Head Coach was delighted for his team having put in a huge effort over the last six months with the players participation in the Interprovincial tournament during the October Midterm Break, followed by numerous assessments, culminating in the extended squads trial games with some WNL Underage teams as well as their friendly against Northern Ireland in mid-March. It was a lot to manage for the youngsters with their commitments to schools football and academia as well as their club involvement but all the hard work paid off in the end. 

The inform Halle Harcourt, of Larkin Community College, converted a fabulous effort for the visitors to take the lead ten minutes in.

However Northern Ireland equalised with twenty minutes played with Grace Murray scoring a sensational goal.

The Northern Ireland netminder Saskia McLaughlin pulled off an audacious save to deny the lively Ellen Goggin seven minutes from the break as they went in at half-time, one apiece.  

Northern Ireland then took the lead through another exceptional strike from Annarose Robinson three minutes into the restart to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

The Republic of Ireland were playing some lovely possession football as things began to settle down for them. Ciara Milton fired off a clinical strike that hit off the butt of the post with 45 minutes on the clock.

And four minutes later, the Republic drew level with Eureka Secondary School scholar Hailey Twomey finishing neatly.

Limerick starlet Ellen Goggin hit the crossbar from a brilliantly struck set-piece just before the hour mark and this was the precursor for the match winner which came three minutes from time from the same player! Goggin netting a worldie from a well-executed free-kick twenty yards out which hit the roof of the net at the far post. An extraordinary winner from a very gifted player.

Huge credit to Northern Ireland who threw everything at their opposition in the later stages in search of that elusive equaliser but the Republic of Ireland held on for a fantastic and worthy win. Another superb team effort which saw the bench utilised to perfection.

A nineth title for the Republic of Ireland in 22 years since the tournaments inception in 2002.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS |Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Ruby Boland (Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Skye Barrett (Maynooth Post Primary School), Hailey Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells), Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Ruby Norris (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Laila Hurley (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Matylda Stelmaszek (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh), Ellen Goggin (Capt) (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Kyra Gavigan (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar) SUBS USED | Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey) Ava Kelly (Tallaght Community School), Halle Harcourt (Larkin Community College) for Milton (46), Leah O’Leary Callender (Ashton School, Cork), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow).