Clara student plays for Ireland in U15 girls international tournament
Clara student Sarah Reynolds played for the Republic of Ireland during the first half of a victorious match against Scotland yesterday (Monday.)
A student at Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Sarah was recently named on the Republic of Ireland Schools U-15 soccer squad of 18 players for the campaign.
The squad has played a few trial games in the lead up to the tournament, with Emma Mooney of Tullamore College among the trialists at a two-day camp held earlier this year, while Reynolds has now made the cut for the 18-player panel.
The Republic of Ireland enjoyed a hard fought opening day victory over reigning champions Scotland while England and Northern Ireland played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the other fixture in Athlone Town AFC yesterday (Monday.)
In a closely contested opener to the four day series, Republic of Ireland forward Anna McGough scored a rocket from the edge of the box to break the deadlock in Athlone. The goal came just after the midway point in the first period as Lara Darraghan played a delightful ball to her feet for the Claregalway student to slot past the keeper’s far post and rifle into the bottom corner.
The hosts enjoyed this slender lead at the interval.
There was a few substitutions at half-fime as one of them, Eva Loftus (Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick) popped up to net the second, direct from a corner kick on 44 minutes.
Scotland were determined to get something from the game and they were rewarded with a goal three minutes into added time as May Cruft converted at the back post following a well delivered corner.
The final whistle came shortly after to make it 2-1 to Richard Berkeley’s side.
The Republic of Ireland face England in the second of today's fixtures kicking off at 5pm in Athlone.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Sarah Doyle, Karla Moore, Keelin Comiskey, Isabella Talotti, Kaitlyn Delahunty, Lara Dallaghan, Madison McGuane (captain), Sarah Reynolds, Sophie Byrne, Mia Murtagh, Anna McGough. Subs used: Eva Loftus for Reynolds (H-T), Kassie McLoughlin for Moore (H-T), Ciara Milton for McGough (42) Abbie Duffy for Byrne (55). Rest of panel: Lucy Doyle Farrington, Maisie Quinn, Molly Kirwan.