As part of the National Pathways Programme, a new Ireland Girls’ Under-15s team will play their first games in a UEFA Development Tournament in Spain this month. The introduction of this team follows the successful National Pathways Programme pilot delivered over the summer, which provided full three-day residential camps for over 50 players in this age group across eight weeks. Ireland Girls’ Under-16 Head Coach Tom Elmes will lead the new side into three matches against Poland (November 11th), Spain (November 13th) and Norway (November 16th) in Alicante, providing some of the country’s most promising young players with their first opportunity to represent Ireland at International level. There are three Galway girls involved in the squad: Kym McNulty and Katie Brogan from Cregmore/Claregalway, and Ava Gallagher from Maree Oranmore, who scored a hat-trick for her club last night against Ballaghaderreen in the Connacht U16 SFAI Cup.
FAI Technical Director Shane Robinson described the launch of this team as an exciting progression within the pathway: “The introduction of an international team at Girls' Under-15 level ensures that players experience international football earlier in their journey, which will ultimately aid their long-term development. This new step, which is being trialled, builds directly on the work of our National Pathways Programme and shows our commitment to providing more meaningful football experiences for young players across the country. We’re excited to see this group begin their journey together in Spain, and we’re hugely appreciative of the clubs and leagues whose work continues to support each player’s development.”
For this first squad, Elmes has selected a strong mix of players from clubs around the country, including Fiadh Woods, Faith Dawson, Maisy Healy (pictured above) and Mia Whelan, who made their Ireland GU16 debuts in October away to Czechia.
Ireland Girls’ Under-15 Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhe Keating (Forth Celtic), Megan McGinley (Milford United)
Defenders: Ellie Byrne (Courtown Hibs), Emma Fitzpatrick (Wexford), Grace Geary (Treaty United), Kym McNulty (Cregmore Claregalway), Hattie Farrell (Kilnamanagh), Katie Brogan (Cregmore Claregalway), Pixie Keddy (Bohemians)
Midfielders: Norah Pustay (Home Farm), Daisy Fleming (Kilnamanagh), Faith Dawson (St Kevin’s), Fiadh Woods (Bohemians), Mairéad Mullins (Athlone Town), Maisy Healy (Bohemians)
Forwards: Maia Stokes (Piltown), Ava Gallagher (Maree Oranmore), Ava Hand (Stella Maris), Mia Whelan (Wexford), Saoirse Reynolds (Westport United)
UEFA Development Tournament
Tuesday, November 11th | Ireland v Poland, Albir Garden Resort, Alicante, Spain, KO 15:00
Thursday, November 13th | Ireland v Spain, Stadio Olimpico Camilo Cano, La Nucia, Alicante, Spain, KO 11:00
Sunday, November 16th | Ireland v Norway, Albir Garden Resort, Alicante, Spain, KO 11:00
