Friendly
10.03.2009 at 16:00 - Lagos Stadium
The Republic of Ireland women's U17 team begin their 2009/2010 campaign in earnest this month as they prepare for three friendly internationals against the USA in Lagos, Portugal from the 10th-14th March. Included in the squad is eircom/FAI women's U 17 international player of the year, Ciara Grant from Donegal's Kilmacrennan Celtic.
The Irish were knocked out of the UEFA Championship's at the first qualifying phase as they defeated the Faroe Islands and Turkey but a narrow defeat to the Netherlands meant that the Girls in Green would not advance to the elite qualifying phase because of goal difference.
The Republic of Ireland begin their bid for qualification in the UEFA Championship, first qualifying phase in Slovenia from the 10th-15th October where they will face Denmark, Turkey and hosts Slovenia for a place in the elite qualifying phase.
Republic of Ireland manager, Harry Kenny was excited about the prospect of facing a highly rated USA team in the Algarve training camp, "As far as underage international football for women goes, America have been leading the way in terms of development for their players and teams. We will be playing a team who are a year older than our girls and I know that we are in for three really tough games over the next week."
"While we were disappointed at missing out on qualification for the elite qualifying phase of the UEFA Championships last year on goal difference, we can use this training camp as a spring board to our qualification bid for next year which begins next October in Slovenia. Included in the squad, we have six girls who were involved in last year's team coupled with three or four girls who will be eligible for next year's U17 team. In my opinion, it is vital to get a mix of experience and youth which will only benefit the team and our qualification bid," added Harry Kenny.
Women's U17 international fixtures
Tuesday, March 10th
Republic of Ireland v USA
Lagos stadium
Kick-off: 16.00hrs
Thursday, March 12th
Republic of Ireland v USA
Lagos stadium
Kick-off: 16.00hrs
Saturday, March 14th
Republic of Ireland v USA
Lagos Stadium
Kick-off: 16.00 hrs
Republic of Ireland Squad
Aileen Gilroy - Killala FC
Amanda Budden - Wilton Utd
Avril Kilkelly - Westport Utd
Ciara Grant - Kilmacrennan Celtic
Ciara Naomi O'Brien - Tramore AFC
Denise O'Sullivan - Wilton
Dora Gorman - Salthill Devon
Grace Maria Moloney - Reading FC
Jessica Gleeson - Tramore F C
Megan Campbell - St Francis
Niamh McLaughlin - Greencastle FC
Niamh Mary Kearney - Stella Maris
Nicole Owens - Raheny Utd
Olivia Margaret Smartt - Stella Maris
Rebecca Kearney - Lakewood Ath
Siobhan Killeen - Raheny Utd
Stacie Jayne Donnelly - Reading FC
Tanya Kennedy - Finn Valley
Manager: Harry Kenny
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