Megan McGinley named in Irish Schools squad for Bob Docherty Cup

Megan McGinley has been named in the Republic of Ireland Schools squad for the Bob Docherty Cup over the next two weeks.

The Loreto Community School, Milford student is the sole Donegal player in the squad for the double header against Northern Ireland over the next fortnight for the Under-15 team.

Finn Valley College’s Paddy McDaid and Kaneshia McKinney of Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, are coaches for Richard Berkeley’s team.

The withdrawal of Scotland and England this season has left a reduced number of competitive outings for the two teams remaining, who will meet in the first leg in Newforge Sports Complex, Belfast on Sunday, March 22 (1pm), with the second leg on Sunday, March 29 at Home Farm FC, Whitehall (2pm).

Head Coach Berkeley said, “I think we're all really looking forward to the games. While it's disappointing that there is no tournament this year, these two games against Northern Ireland will provide a great challenge for us.

“The recent matches have been very close, so we're expecting the same again. After a long assessment process, with some difficult decisions, we have finalised our squad, and hopefully we have a squad that can represent our schools International team with pride, determination, and quality.”

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The Republic of Ireland have a fantastic record in this competition. Over the past 24 years, the trophy has been played for 22 times. The Republic of Ireland have won nine times, while Scotland have won seven, England three, Northern Ireland two, and Wales one.

It’s the first taste of International football for most of these players, with Maisy Healy the only player who was involved in last year’s squad as they defeated Scotland, England, and hosts Northern Ireland to lift the prestigious trophy, which saw St Columba's College, Stranorlar's Kyra Gavigan part of the victorious team.

The 18 players selected will be representing 17 different schools from Dublin (7), Wexford (3), Galway (2), Tipperary (2), Donegal, Mayo, Kildare, and Louth.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Megan McGinley (Loreto Community School, Milford), Caoimhe Keating (Presentation Secondary School, Wexford), Rosaleen O’Leary (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh), Maisy Healy, Fiadh Woods (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf), Maia Stokes (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Ava Gallagher (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Pixie Keddy (Rosemount Secondary School, Sandyford), Norah Pustay (Dominican College, Griffith Avenue), Emma Fitzpatrick (Creagh College, Gorey), Saoirse Reynolds (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Daisy Fleming (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge), Aoibhe Galvin (Kylemore College, Ballyfermot) Faith Dawson (Drogheda Grammar School), Maireád Mullins (St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney), Mia Whelan (Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy), Hattie Farrell (Mount Anville Secondary School, Goatstown), Alannah Mooney (New Cross College, Finglas)

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.