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McGuinness set for Ireland Debut
03.04.09
Greencastle FC striker
selected to take part in Bob Docherty Cup
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
MOVILLE COMMUNITY College striker Gemma McGuinness
has been called up to the Republic of Ireland girls
U15 squad for next week’s Bob Docherty Cup.
The Republic’s youngsters, who are out to retain the
trophy, will face off against hosts Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the competition,
which takes place in Belfast from next Monday to
Holy Thursday.
Both Gemma, and Carndonagh Community School
midfielder Georgina Gordon, were called up to the
provisional squad of 22 earlier in the month, with
the Greencastle FC player making the final 18 for
the Belfast tournament.
The Carn midfielder is on standby for the Irish, who
kick off their campaign next Tuesday against
Scotland in a game that could go a long way to
deciding the eventual winners of the competition.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, Irish
assistant manager Margaret Mulhall, said McGuinness’
progress since appearing for Ulster in the Inter
Provincials at the end of last year made her
selection a no-brainer. |
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“Gemma did well even to
make the Irish provisional squad, given that Ulster
did poorly at the Inter Provincials, but in each of
her trial matches she’s gotten better and better. We
played Noel King’s Irish U17s in a couple of warm up
games and she really impressed. Gemma’s a striker
with good pace but her best assets are her dribbling
and fine ball control. She is still a first year at
Moville Community |
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College, and so will still be
eligible for the U13 team next year as well.”
Mulhall added that Georgina Gordon’s strength as a
ball winning midfielder means she would be an asset
to the side, if activated in the coming days due to
injury or withdrawal.
The sophomore Irish U13 assistant manager is hopeful
her side can retain the Bob Docherty Cup.
She sees a promising future for the two Inishowen
youngsters.
“As the likes of Niamh McLaughlin have shown there
is a chance for girls like Gemma and Georgina to
naturally progress to the U17 squad.”
Meanwhile Finn Harps’ Ciaran Coll has been called
into the Irish U18 panel for April 7th friendly with
Cyprus in Larnica. The Newtown youngster was
selected along with fellow Harps player Ciaran
Gallagher. |
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