Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-15 development squad finished runners-up in this year’s Associations Cup.
At the tournament in Limerick they faced Republic of Ireland A (Green) and B (White) as well as their Isle of Man counterparts.
In game one they came up against ROI Green. Northern Ireland created an early chance when Sophia McNicholl dribbled past three defenders and pulled the ball back for Imogen Jones who was unlucky not to convert.
Zara Brennan worked hard in midfield to break up any danger and Megan McCabe in defence made a brilliant tackle as ROI threatened. Halfway through the first half goalkeeper Orla McLaughlin made an excellent one-on-one save.
ROI went 1-0 up just before half-time with a good finish from close range.
In the second half Stevie Graham’s side pressed for an equaliser. A superb pass from Maeve McMenamin found Maisie Hobson and her shot went inches past the post.
Then Hobson raced clear down the left wing and her cross found Lily Donaldson who finished well at the back post to make it 1-1.
There were further chances for Hobson and Robinson as Northern Ireland searched for a winner, however ROI scored two in quick succession to win the match 3-1.
In their second game Northern Ireland faced ROI White – and they pressed from the start.
Great work down the left flank by Robinson led to her feeding Hobson, who went close.
On the other flank Daisy Coalter and Maci Davidson combined well and forced a series of corners, while goalkeeper McLaughlin made a fantastic save from an ROI corner.
On the stroke of half-time Northern Ireland scored what proved to be the winner, Hobson netting with a firm header from a Robinson corner.
In the second half good link-up play from Aoife McCarthy and Donaldson eventually saw the ball reaching Hobson but her shot was saved.
In game three in the tournament – all of the matches were staged at the University of Limerick - Northern Ireland were ruthless in front of goal.
Goals from McMenamin, Brennan and McCarthy put them in the driving seat, while an OG and further goals from Sarah Smyth and Donaldson put them six up by half-time.
Goalkeeper Amelia Fleming was calm in possession as were defenders Mya Auld and Sophia Currie, playing the ball out to team-mates and setting up attacks.
In the second half Northern Ireland were relentless with further goals from Hobson, Davidson, a second for Smyth, two from Jones and a fantastic hat-trick from Emma Rankin. The final score was 14-0.
In the group stage Northern Ireland finished second, which meant they would face ROI Green in the Associations Cup final.
There were chances for both teams early on in the decider.
Davidson, Aleah Neill and McCabe were strong in defence and McNicholl worked hard to snuff out any danger.
Hobson ran through 1v1 but the ROI goalkeeper made a great save, while McLaughlin made a fantastic save down the other end.
ROI went one up on 15 minutes with an effort from close range.
Northern Ireland then countered and Coalter crossed for Hobson, however the ROI keeper made another good save.
In the second half Donaldson’s and Coalter’s pace on the wings caused trouble for the ROI defence and the pair created a couple of opportunities.
However, ROI extended their lead, scoring with a well-placed header.
Graham’s side then had a goal ruled out for offside and pressed hard with shots from Rankin and McMenamin. And substitute keeper Fleming made a great save late on.
Northern Ireland had chances but ROI Green came out on top.
WU15s head coach Graham said afterwards: “The tournament was a great learning experience with progression both individually and collectively.
“The development and bonding on and off the pitch will stand them in good stead going forward. The players applied themselves extremely well in their first experience at this level.”
The Northern Ireland Women’s U15 squad at the Associations Cup featured:
Goalkeepers – Orla McLaughlin (Cliftonville Ladies), Amelia Fleming (Linfield Women).
Defenders – Maci Davidson, Mya Auld and Megan McCabe (all Linfield Women), Sophia Currie and Aleah Neill (both Glentoran Women).
Midfielders – Sophia McNicholl and Maeve McMenamin (both Cliftonville Ladies), Emma Rankin and Zara Brennan (both Linfield Women), Imogen Jones (Sion Swifts Ladies).
Forwards – Lily Donaldson and Maisie Hobson (both Linfield Women), Kelly Robinson (Limavady Youth), Aoife McCarthy (Cliftonville Ladies), Daisy Coalter (Larne Women), Sarah Smyth (Crusaders Strikers).
