Norris stars as Ireland win Bob Docherty Cup
Ruby Norris receives the player of the match award after her performance against Northern Ireland.
Waterford FC player, Ruby Norris, was named player of the match on Thursday last, as the Republic of Ireland U15 girls’ schools team defeated Northern Ireland, to claim the Bob Docherty cup with former Piltown player Sarah Doyle, who is now at Shamrock Rovers, playing on goal in the Irish win.
The Republic side defeated their northern counterparts in their final game of the competition, following a 2-0 victory at Greenisland FC.
Richard Berkeley’s side began their Bob Docherty cup campaign on Monday, as they defeated holders England in their opening clash, which also doubled up for the annual John Read Trophy. Traditionally it would have been a stand-alone fixture, but it has merged into the tournament in recent years.
The Republic enjoyed much of the possession in the opening stages of the game.
Ireland’s creativity was rewarded on 21 minutes, when Hailey Twomey’s perfectly placed corner, was met by the glancing head of Leah O’Leary Callender to break the deadlock.
The Irish side went two up four minutes later, when Larkin Halle Harcourt latched onto a wonderful through ball from Ciara Milton, to ensure a two-goal cushion at the break.
England were impressive in the opening exchanges of the second half, as Ireland were on the back foot.
England finally grabbed a goal back twenty minutes into the second half, as Rachel Oware slotted past Sarah Doyle to make it, 2-1.
It was a nervous final quarter for Berkeley’s charges but despite England’s best efforts they couldn’t negotiate an equaliser, and the Republic claimed a vital win.
On Tuesday afternoon at Greenisland FC, the Irish girls continued their unbeaten start with a 2-0 victory over Scotland. The Irish side dominated the game for large periods, in a game Norris impressed in, as well as player of the match, Maisy Healy.
With three games in four days, Head Coach Richard Berkeley made five changes for the Scotland game. This included the introduction of Norris from the start of the game.
Ireland scored either side of the half, with Abbie Duffy converting a sublime individual effort midway through the first half, while the gifted Healy grabbed a sensational second six minutes into the restart.
The win was a brilliant team effort from all involved as the momentum built nicely for Thursday’s conclusion.
The girls in green knew that a draw or win on Thursday morning over Northern Ireland would claim the Bob Docherty cup, following the two victories over England and Scotland.
Former Piltown AFC player, Norris, impressed from start to finish for the Republic on Thursday morning in the middle of the park, as the Scoil Mhuire Greenhill student’s ability to dictate the pace of the game was hugely impressive.
Norris and her Irish teammates that included keeper Doyle, who also attends the same school as the former, dominated the game against the hosts on Thursday morning. The republic were unfortunate to not win the game by a greater margin, as they dealt with the North’s attack comfortably throughout.
Sarah Doyle (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Ruby Boland (Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara), Halle Harcourt (Larkin Community College), Leah O’Leary Callender (Ashton School, Cork), Ellen Goggin (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Lara Dallaghan (Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey), Ava Kelly (Tallaght Community School), Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), Skye Barrett (Maynooth Post Primary School), Hailey Twomey (Eureka Secondary School, Kells), Matylda Stelmaszek (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh) , Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Maisy Healy (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) , Ruby Norris (Scoil Mhuire Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Laila Hurley (St. MacDara’s Community College, Templeogue), Kyra Gavigan (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Lucy Doyle Farrington (St. Mary’s College, Arklow).
Head Coach Richard Berkeley (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
