Scotland Salvage Draw with Republic of Ireland
7 April 2009
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Scotland
Rebecca Kearney was aptly named Captain of the Schools International team today when they faced Scotland in their opening match of the Bob Docherty Tournament.
Kearney is no stranger to Schools football having captained Munster to their fifth consecutive Interprovincial title last October in Athlone. But all important is the experience the youngster brings to the panel as she faces her third year with the International team.
Ballymun’s Erica Cahill is another skilful player from last year’s successful panel to make a welcome return.
Gallagher selected a fresh young team with plenty of ambition and heart as they faced their toughest test yet when they lined out against Billy Henderson’s ladies in the first competitive fixture of the competition.
The Republic of Ireland made a positive start on proceedings when Cork’s Clare Shine made a darting run down the right which outpaced Claire Wardrop and Ainsley Douglas in the Scottish defence. However, Sian Meaney was on hand to clear the striker’s ambition on goal as she cleared the danger. The resulting corner from Zoe O’Donoghue was delivered with pace into the box for Shine to rise highest to head home from close range. The perfect start with Ireland leading 1-0 with only two minutes gone
Kells native Aine Bennett showed great determination as she gave the Scots very little time on the ball. This ploy seemed to pay off as moments later Clare Shine got a golden opportunity to increase her tally when a defensive error awarded her the ball in space. Shine attempted to lob Keeper Cunningham but the Scottish youngster got her finger tips to the ball to see it sail over the upright.
Nine minutes in, Kearney sent a sweet through ball into Shine who did well to get herself into an excellent goal scoring position, unfortunately her effort was too high to cause concern for the Scots.
Scotland responded well with Rachel Walkingshaw and Siobhan Hunter battling hard in midfield. Walkingshaw’s long range effort after 20 minutes was dealt with well by Abbeyleix Keeper, Nicole Cranny.
Lauren Murphy linked well with Kearney and Shine to test Cunningham between the posts but the net minder was fortunate to see her save cleared by colleague Sian Meaney in defence.
Scotland were awarded a free kick with 25 minutes played. Claire Emslie whipped in a great ball which was met by Ainsley Douglas. The youngster should have done better when her free header went left and wide.
The last action of the first half saw Erica Cahill nick the ball wide of the upright after a well placed corner from Waterford’s Zoe O’Donoghue.
Michael Gallagher took the opportunity to introduce Emma Russell for O’Donoghue at half time.
Scotland were a changed team in the second half and caused the Irish defence huge problems early on. Good defending from Mustaki and Newman kept the Scots at bay.
The tartan army were proving dangerous and their productive play paid dividends when they equalised in the forty-third minute. The industrious Rachel Walkingshaw headed in from close range after good work from Caroline Weir. All square at 1-1
Substitute Emma Russell made her mark fifteen minutes into the second half when she flew past two defenders to round the keeper. Unfortunately for Russell Sian Meaney’s diving antics saved the Scots from conceding again.
Gallagher was forced to make a number of tactical changes with Amy Wilson introduced for the injured Kearney (49) and Lauren Ebbs for Murphy (53). Scotland brought in Aimee Ridgeway for Megan Walker (53)
The game ebbed and flowed with much of the possession in the Irish half. Scotland’s dominance in the game was evident as Claire Emslie was awarded a free after an infringement. Siobhan Hunter connected well with the resulting free kick but was unlucky not to score after her shot drifted past the far post.
Mount Mercy star Laura Lynch pressed forward and her long range effort was well saved by Cunningham in goal.
Kirsty Smith was brought on for Rachel Walkingshaw (62) while Moville’s Gemma McGuinness was introduced for Clare Shine (63)
McGuinness was quick to settle into the game as she pressed the Scottish defence on a number of occasions. She managed to break free down the left and her sprint finish resulted in a corner for Ireland in the dying minutes of injury time. Laura Lynch’s effort was inches for the top corner as the ball sailed agonising over the bar to the disappointment of the travelling Irish.
Gallagher can breathe a sigh of relief as Northern Ireland could only manage a 1-1 draw with Wales in the other encounter of the afternoon. This result makes it an even playing field as the Republic of Ireland face Wales tomorrow (Wednesday). The other fixture will see Scotland play Northern Ireland; all games kick off at 3pm.
The finale will see the Republic of Ireland play their counterparts Northern Ireland on Thursday with Scotland and Wales fighting it out in the other game (KO 11am).
Republic of Ireland: Nicole Cranny (Heywood CS), Shauna Newman (St. Oliver’s Drogheda), Chloe Mustaki (The French School Clonskeagh), Laura Lynch (Mount Mercy Cork), Erica Cahill (Ballymun Comprehensive), Denise O’Sullivan (Terence McSweeney SS Cork), Zoe O’Donoghue (St. Declan’s Waterford), Clare Shine (Regina Mundi Cork), Rebecca Kearney (Colaiste Choilm Cork), Lauren Murphy (Carigaline CS), Aine Bennett (Eureka SS, Kells)
Subs: Gemma McGuinness (Moville CS) for Shine (63), Emma Russell (Holy Child Killiney) for O’Donoghue (45), Fiona Callen (Inver College Monaghan), Shauna Jackson (Holy Rosary Galway), Amy Wilson (North Presentation Cork) for Kearney (49), Niamh Walsh (Santa Sabina Dublin), Lauren Ebbs (Manor House Dublin) for Murphy (53)
Scotland: Megan Campbell, Sian Meaney, Claire Wardrop, Ainsley Douglas, Claire Emslie, Mairead Fulton, Siobhan Hunter, Rachel Walkingshaw, Caroline Weir, Megan Walker, Linzi Taylor
Subs: Ellen Reid, Frances Martin, Abbi Grant, Nicola Jane Hardie, Kirsty Smith, Aimee Ridgeway, Caroline Richardson
MANAGEMENT TEAM: Manager: Michael Gallagher, Summerhill College, Athlone, Assistant Manager: Margaret Mulhall, Moville Community School, Coach: Dave Collins, Alexandra College, Dublin, GK Coach: Emma Merrigan, Physio: Brona Walsh, Team Doctor: Dr. Natalia Bratu