Donegal schools well represented on Ulster U-15 Interprovincial squad
Donegal will have a strong presence on the Ulster panel for next week's FAI Schools Under 15 Girls' Interprovincial series in Athlone.
Several Donegal schools are represented on the 17-player Ulster panel, which will compete against Connacht, Leinster and Munster from Monday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 28.
Caitlin McBrearty of Deele College, Raphoe, and Lucy Doohan of PCC, Falcarragh, return to the Ulster squad after featuring last season.
They are joined by Rose Harkin of Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Alice Gibbons of Loreto Community School, Milford, Orla Maguire of Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town, and Éabha McKinney of Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny.
St Columba's College in Stranorlar also has five representatives on the panel, with Islagh Patton, Molly Gallagher, Katie Gallagher, Alison Mbuli and Saoirse Hannigan selected.
Grace McGonagle and Caitlin Atherton of Moville Community College complete the Donegal representation among the players named for Ulster.
There is further Donegal involvement in the management team, with Kaneshia McKinney of Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny, Zoe Green of Abbey Vocational School and Natalie McFadden of Deele College included.
The three-day competition will provide an opportunity for the players to impress as the FAI Schools begin the process of selecting an 18-player International Development squad for the Bob Docherty Cup.
Ulster begin their campaign against Connacht at 5pm on Monday, following the opening fixture between Leinster and Munster at 3pm.
The remaining fixtures will be decided by a draw on Monday evening, with games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Leinster are the defending champions after completing a third successive title win last year, while Ulster will be hoping to challenge for honours.
The tournament will also be an opportunity for players to catch the attention of the international selectors, with the FAI Schools programme having provided a pathway to the Republic of Ireland's underage and senior international teams.
Meanwhile, Paddy McDaid of Finn Valley College, Stranorlar, has been appointed head coach of the FAI Schools International squad, succeeding Richard Berkeley, who has retired after 12 years with the international management set-up.
McDaid has coached several schools teams and worked with the Ulster girls before joining the international staff two seasons ago.
Ulster: Caitlin McBrearty (Deele College, Raphoe), Rose Harkin (Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair), Aoife McArdle (Beech Hill College, Monaghan), Zoey Clarke, Rebecca Crosby (Coláiste Dún an Rí, Kingscourt), Lucy Doohan (PCC, Falcarragh), Islagh Patton, Molly Gallagher, Katie Gallagher, Alison Mbuli, Saoirse Hannigan (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Alice Gibbons (Loreto Community School, Milford), Orla Maguire (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Niamh Carolan (Virgina College), Grace McGonagle, Caitlin Atherton (Moville Community College), Éabha McKinney (Coláiste Ailigh, Leitir Ceanainn).
Management: Kaneshia McKinney (Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny), Zoe Green (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Natalie McFadden (Deele College, Raphoe).