U15 Girls’ International Friendly
Press Release: Saturday, March 5, 2016
England vs Republic of Ireland
Egerton Football Club, Cheshire
Sunday, March 6, KO 12.30pm
LORRAINE COUNIHAN’S side travel to Manchester this afternoon ahead of their annual International Friendly against Andy Williams’ side. This is the third time these two sides have met in the invitational encounter and Counihan is still awaiting a win. 2014 saw the Irish loss out by a significant margin while last season, the Lionness enjoyed a narrow 1-0 victory at Home Farm FC. Amy Boyle Carr’s equalizer was rejected so it was England who recorded yet another victory against the Republic.
The Republic of Ireland have suffered a slight setback with Meghen Hengerer out. The American hasn’t recovered fully from the thigh injury sustained in the Northern Ireland win two weeks ago and will be replaced by her twin sister Lilly. The Dominican College scholar was also a late call up for Tyler Toland in the Oriel Park fixture but that didn’t faze her as she went on to grab the match winner for the Republic so her confidence will be at an all-time high heading into this fixture.
Counihan is very positive about the outing and will experiment a little with her formation ahead of the Bob Docherty Tournament in early April. The Limerick native stated, “we have five capped players returning from last season and I’m hoping they will all bring that experience to the fore tomorrow as it’s a massive game for us. The newcomers have all proven themselves in recent months and it will be a great challenge for them against a brilliant well contained outfit”.
Due to the poor weather in Manchester, tomorrow’s encounter has been switched from Gigg Lane, Bury FC to an all-weather facility as Egerton FC, Cheshire with a later kick off time of 12.30pm #COYGIG
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Amy BOYLE CARR (St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties), Doireann FAHEY (Ardscoil Rathangan), Louise MASTERSON (Holy Family CS, Rathcoole), Leah McHUGH (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford), Eabha O’MAHONY (Mount Mercy College, Cork), Isibéal CAROLAN (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush), Aisling SPILLANE (The Kings Hospital, Palmerstown), Alannah McAVOY (Loreto Secondary School, Bray), Tyler TOLAND (Deele College, Raphoe), Lilly HENGERER, Lucia LOBATO, Aoife LYNAGH (all Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Salthill), Maria O’SULLIVAN, Zara FOLEY (both Ballincollig Community School), Jessica ZIU (Larkin Community College), Sinéad DONOVAN (Claregalway Community School), Rachel KELLY (Manor House School, Raheny), Rachel O’REGAN (Carrigaline Community School)
MANAGEMENT STAFF: Lorraine COUNIHAN, Manager (Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant), Maureen O’DONNELL, Assistant Manager (Deele College, Raphoe), Richard BERKELEY, Coach (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh), David ROONEY, GK Coach, Aoife BURKE Physio