Scholars set for Northern test

LEAH McHugh, a student at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford, has been named on an FAI Schools Republic of Ireland Select to take on a Northern Ireland Select at Dundalk FC's Oriel Park tomorrow (February 20).

A friendly match arranged in advance of the Bob Docherty Tournament, which is scheduled for early April, the game will kick off at 1 p.m.

Following the interprovincial series last November, Lorraine Counihan has whittled down the 68 players on display during that three-day tournament to a select that will face its first real competitive test against Alfie Wylie’s side.

The Republic of Ireland have been runners-up on two consecutive occasions in the Bob Docherty Tournament and the manager is hoping to go one better this time, although she understands it will be a difficult venture.

Next up for the Schools select is a trip to Manchester in early March as they take on England Schools in another friendly at Bury FC. The girls will have one final training session following that outing as the squad meet in Dublin on Saturday, March 19. The finishing touches will be applied to the squad before they travel to Wales for the international series.

The four-day competition will see hosts Wales with two teams selected (2001, 2002) as well as England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The sides will be split into two groups, with Wales (2001) and Northern Ireland in Counihan’s group. The other side of the draw sees current holders Scotland up against 2014 winners England and Wales (2002).