Four Mayo players in provincial duty for FAI schools Interleagues

The 2022 FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial series kicks off today (Friday), with Connacht in action at 5 p.m.

The three-day tournament will see sixty-eight of the top players in Irish schools line out from all corners of the country as they compete for their province and possibly make the cut for international assessment next month.

This tournament will be the first step in the process of selecting the FAI Schools International Development squad of 18 players who will compete in the Bob Docherty Cup. The 2022/23 campaign will see the Republic of Ireland schools select travel to Glasgow for this season’s event. The International campaign will take place during the Easter Break from April 2 to April 7, 2023.

With this in mind, all eyes will be on the Interprovincial series to scout for the best talent on display within our network of post primary schools. The event will see six matches played with provinces awarded two points for a win and one point for a draw. The format leaves for an exciting finale in the Sunday morning outings.

Connaught have four players revisiting the capital with Jessica Talbot (Coláiste ns Coiribe, Baile na mBúrcach), Ava Mullins (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Mairead McIntyre (Ursuline College, Sligo) and Lesley Ann Sweeney (Coláiste Muire, Ballymote) all hoping to make a major impact again for Dom Coll’s crew.

The four Mayo players in the squad are Aoife Meaney (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Áine Monaghan (St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet), Róise Burke (Ballinrobe Community School), and Kasey Ruane (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford). Seamus MacEachmharcaigh (Sacred Heart School, Westport) is part of the management team.

Last year, saw Leinster’s reign diminished with a wonderful exhibition of football from champions Munster. Connacht won the elusive competition in 2017 while Ulster have waited 12 years for top spot. No doubt all management teams will have their teams primed for some exciting football. The opening game will see Leinster entertain Ulster at 3 p.m. while Munster take on Connacht at 5 p.m.

Following the initial games, a draw will be made on Friday evening for Saturday’s pairings which kick off at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The conclusion of the tournament will see the penultimate game on Sunday at 10.30 a.m. while the final series will take place at 12.30 p.m.

Connaught: Aoife Meaney (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Emma Dillon (Coláiste Éinde, Salthill), Áine Máiread Monaghan (St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet), Jessica Talbot (Coláiste na Coiribe, Baile na mBúrcach), Róise Burke (Ballinrobe Community School), Katie Glynn (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Heather Loomes (Jesus and Mary Secondary, Salerno, Salthill), Ava Mullins (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Mairead McIntyre, McKenzie Reynolds, Kya McKenna (Ursuline College, Sligo), Lesley Ann Sweeney (Coláiste Muire, Ballymote), Fia O’Connor (Coláiste Chroí Mhuire gan Smal, Spiddal), Kasey Ruane (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford), Niamh Mannion (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill), Lucy Gavin (Mercy College, Sligo)

Management: Dom Coll (Presentation College, Athenry) Stephen Lacken (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross), Seamus MacEachmharcaigh (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Tessa Mullins (Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew).