Two Galway Students Help Republic of Ireland capture Bob Docherty Cup

SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup | Under 15 Girls’ International

Republic of Ireland 6-0 Northern Ireland

Mia Whelan (3, 34), Saoirse Reynolds (41, 64), Fiadh Woods (69), Daisy Fleming (70)

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS captured the SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup with a comfortable win over visitors Northern Ireland at Home Farm FC, Whitehall yesterday afternoon (Sunday, March 29).

A first half brace from Mia Whelan and a second half brace from her replacement Saoirse Reynolds as well as goals from Fiadh Woods and Daisy Fleming ensured back to back title wins for the hosts.

The usual week-long tournament held over the Easter Break was reduced to a double header with neighbouring Northern Ireland this season following the withdrawal of Scotland and England in the competition.

The Republic of Ireland Schools were defending the title which saw Captain Ellen Goggin (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick) lift the Cup following a two-year absence.  Richard Berkeley’s squad had defeated England (2-1), Scotland (2-0) and Northern Ireland (3-2) to claim glory in Greenisland FC, Carrickfergus twelve months previously.

This season, the first leg played last week in Belfast saw a Maisy Healy hat-trick as well as goals from Mia Whelan, Ava Gallagher and Fiadh Woods, to set them up nicely for yesterday’s conclusion.

Berkeley made seven changes ahead of the final outing with Newbridge starlet Daisy Fleming skippering the side. The only players to retain their starting positions were Fitzpatrick, Pustay, Whelan and Fleming.

Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy student Mia WHELAN got them off to the perfect start with a lovely finish past the impressive Ifeoma Agoha with three minutes played.

The Northern Ireland netminder was in sensational form and pulled off some magnificent saves to deny Alannah Mooney (New Cross College, Finglas) and the industrious Rosaleen O’Leary (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh) on the half hour mark.

With a minute remaining in the first period, WHELAN headed home her second of the contest as she connected brilliantly from a well worked Mooney corner to leave the hosts two up at the interval.

Substitute Saoirse REYNOLDS who replaced goal-scorer Whelan at half-time continued their rich vein of form with a third six minutes in when she squeezed her effort in at the near post.

O’Leary came agonisingly close to securing a fourth but the youngster who is eligible again next season, just failed to hit the mark a few minutes later.

Saoirse REYNOLDS, the Sacred Heart School, Westport scholar headed in the Republic’s fourth of the afternoon just past the hour mark when Aoibhe Galvin (Kylemore College, Ballyfermot) turned supplier to net six yards out.

While the hardworking Fiadh WOODS (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) and Captain Daisy FLEMING (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge) struck late on to ensure a comfortable 6-0 win over the visitors. The same scoreline as the previous encounter in Belfast.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

It was no surprise when Daisy FLEMING (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge) was named Player of the Match as she marshalled the team superbly throughout the game adding a goal late on to boot.

END OF AN ERA

A fitting tribute to Head Coach Richard Berkeley who retires from International football with the FAI Schools team following his twelve-year involvement with the Association.

A powerful campaign from the Class of 2026 who will no doubt go on to progress through the underage International ranks soon.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Megan McGinley (Loreto Community School, Milford), Alannah Mooney (New Cross College, Finglas), Norah Pustay (Dominican College, Griffith Avenue), Emma Fitzpatrick (Creagh College, Gorey), Daisy Fleming © (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge),

Rosaleen O’Leary (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh), Aoibhe Galvin (Kylemore College, Ballyfermot), Faith Dawson (Drogheda Grammar School), Ava Gallagher (Calasanctius College, Oranmore) Hattie Farrell (Mount Anville Secondary School, Goatstown), Mia Whelan (Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy)

SUBS USED | Saoirse Reynolds (Sacred Heart School, Westport) for Whelan (HT), Maia Stokes (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir) for Pustay (HT), Maireád Mullins (St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney) for O’Leary (50), Fiadh Woods (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) for Dawson (50), Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) for Mooney (50), Pixie Keddy (Rosemont Secondary School, Sandyford) for Farrell (50), Caoimhe Keating (Presentation Secondary School, Wexford) for McGinley (65).

MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Richard Berkeley (formerly of Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), Coach Kaneshia McKinney (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Coach Paddy McDaid (Finn Valley College, Stranorlar), Coach Mia O’Connell (SETU Carlow), GK Coach Emmet Peyton (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Physio Cianna Hickey, Equipment Manager Joan Croke

NORTHERN IRELAND | Ifeoma Agoha, Molly Gray, Gracey Livingston, Connie Harper ©, Aoife Conlon, Lydia Devlin, Kelly Robinson, Cara McVeigh, Lauren Kirkpatrick, Eva Dunlop, Darcy Grayson

SUBS USED | Maeve McMenamin for McVeigh (49), Sophie Nelson for Robinson (49), Sophia Gill for Grayson (60), Lara Longridge for Dunlop (60), Saoirse Devine for Delvin (65)

SUBS NOT USED | Grace Greenhill (GK)

STAFF | Stephen Graham (Head Coach), Heather Mearns (Coach), Jack Little (Coach), Eoin Mahon (GK Coach), Stuart Irvine (Physio)

RESULTS

Sunday, March 22 | Match Day 1

Northern Ireland 0-6 Republic of Ireland, KO 1pm, Newforge Sports Complex, Belfast

Player of the Match | © Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf)

Sunday, March 29 | Match Day 2

Republic of Ireland 6-0 Northern Ireland, KO 2pm, Home Farm FC, Whitehall (Grass)

Player of the Match | © Daisy Fleming (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge)

Bob Docherty Cup | Roll of Honour