SOCCER Republic of Ireland U19 women's squad announced for UEFA Championship qualifiers
Republic of Ireland women’s under 19 manager, Susan Ronan has named her 18 player squad to take part in the forthcoming UEFA Championship, Elite Qualifying Phase in Madrid, Spain from the 24th – 29th April.
The Girls in Green will take on the Netherlands, Spain and Serbia as they bid to qualify for their first ever championship finals appearance. The Irish go into the elite qualifying phase as 1st seeds with a 100% record in the first qualifying phase after wins against Croatia, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Over the past number of months, Susan Ronan’s side have been busy in their preparations for the elite qualifying phase; after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Iceland last month, her side regrouped and demolished their counterparts 8-0 in the second game of the double international friendly. The Irish also took on a highly fancied Russian side in Dublin in a double international friendly and they won both ties 2-0 and 3-2 respectively.
Included in the squad are Irish under 17 starlets, Amy Ryan, who has scored five goals in three games for the under 19’s and eircom FAI women’s under 17 player of the year, Gillian McDonnell.
Irish captain, Louise Quinn has also returned to the squad after she shook off an injury which kept her out of the recent friendly international games against Iceland and Russia.
Speaking at the squad announcement, Republic of Ireland manager, Susan Ronan said, “Without doubt, this is the best ever chance we will get to qualify to date, for our very first Championship finals appearance as we have avoided the top European nations such as Germany, Sweden and France. However, I am fully aware of the threats that Netherlands, Spain and Serbia possess. Our first game against the Netherlands will be key as there is now a professional women’s league in the Netherlands which will obviously provide a huge platform for their players to develop in a professional environment.”
“Included in the squad are five players who have been playing at this level for the past three years such as Noelle Murray and Aine O’Gorman. I have no doubt the experience of playing in the elite qualifying phase for the past three years in a row will be invaluable for the team as we look to progress to the next stage; qualification to a UEFA Championship finals,“ added Ronan.
Today, the FAI Women’s Unit launched the new FAI Player’s Diary which is designed to enhance preparation and performance of all elite women’s players.
The new FAI ‘Player’s Diary’ has been specifically produced to aid the everyday preparation and performance of women who are serious about their football. Created and published by SportTracker, on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, this unique publication affords women footballers the opportunity to become the best they can possible be at this great game.
Speaking at the announcement of the FAI Players Diary, Peter Larkin from SportTracker said, “I am delighted that the FAI has chosen to present this ‘Player’s Diary’ to its elite squad of women, and also to women footballers who wish to enhance their preparation and performance. Our publications are specifically built to be part and parcel of the footballer’s everyday activity, and a ‘Player’s Diary’ is now every bit as necessary in the kit bag as a water bottle or a pair of football boots.”
“SportTracker is dedicated to tailoring diaries and analysis books for individual sports, and with the guidance and expert direction of Noel King we feel confident that this product is not only unique in the way it allows footballers to examine their daily training and activity, but that it can add an addition 5% or 10% to the actual match performance. And, as we all know, that can be the critical difference between winning and losing,” he added.
Women’s Under 19 UEFA Championship Elite Qualifying Phase - Fixtures
Thursday, April 24th:
Republic of Ireland v the Netherlands
Kick-off: 16.00 hrs (local time)
Saturday, April 26th:
Republic of Ireland v Serbia
Kick-off: 16.00 hrs (local time)
Tuesday, April 29th:
Spain v Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: 12.00 hrs (local time)
Republic of Ireland Squad
Lynn Bradley - Raheny Untied
Louise Quinn - Peamount
Caitriona McGilp - Cabinteely FC
Karen Duggen - Piltown
Susan Hacket - Stella Maris
Niamh Reid Burke - Raheny United
Julie Ann Russell - Salthill Devon
Stephanie Roche - Dundalk City WFC
Amanda Parkes - Wilton United
Rachel Graham - Raheny United
Anna Mccormack - Cam Celtic
Aine O Gorman - Stella Maris
Lynn Marie Grant - Lifford
Noelle Murray - Raheny United
Gillian McDonnell - Dundalk City WFC
Jadine Madden - Arsenal
Amy Ryan - Stella Maris
Grace Murray - Dundalk City WFC
Manager
Susan Ronan
*SportTracker (www.sporttracker.ie) produces books, software and other resources to help sportspeople to systematically improve their performance.
ENDS
For further information;
Fran Whearty
Communications Executive
Football Association of Ireland
National Sports Campus Ireland
Abbotstown
Dublin 15
P: +353 1 8999 526
F: +353 1 8999 501
M: +353 87 995 6381