Mayo girls in interpro action with Connacht this week

The 2025 FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial series is currently ongoing at Athlone Town AFC, with a number of Mayo scholars having made the Connacht panel.

The westerners got off to a winning start against Munster yesterday (Monday) and now have a good chance of reaching the final tomorrow (Wednesday).

Connacht fell behind early to opponents Munster yesterday as Fia Comerford pounced on a defensive error. However, the westerners were level just before the break when Tilly Carroll played a delightful ball down the right flank for Ava Gallagher to run on to and finish to the net.

Munster thought they had taken the lead 10 minutes from time when Zoey Nash turned supplier for the industrious Jenna McSherry to slot home but the goal was chalked off for an offside.

The match winner came on 58 minutes (30 minutes per half) for Connacht as Katie Brogan headed in from a corner to clinch a wonderful victory.

A snap-shot of all goals is available on the FAI Schools Facebook and X/Twitter pages.

Connacht's second game of the series is coming up at 1 p.m. today (Tuesday) when they face Ulster, who were beaten 4-0 by Leinster in yesterday's opener. Munster and Leinster clash in today's second game at 3 p.m.

Four Mayo players have made the Connacht squad for the series. Saoirse Reynolds of Sacred Heart School, Westport, is one of three players returning again this year having represented Connacht in last year's competition. The other two are Maireád Mullins (St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney) and Tilly Carroll (Salerno Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill).

Reynolds is joined by Sacred Heart team-mate Jane Moran on the provincial squad, with Lexi Murphy of Balla Secondary School and Bonni Walsh of Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris, also making the cut.

The Connacht squad in full is as follows: Saoirse Reynolds, Jane Moran (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Lexi Murphy (Balla Secondary School), Bonnie Walsh (Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris), Aideen Kilgannon, Isabel Behan (Presentation College, Athenry), Siún Cullinan, Mairéad Mulkerrins (Coláiste Éinde, Salthill), Katie Brogan, Kym McNulty, Laura McHugh (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Tilly Carroll (Salerno Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill), Maireád Mullins (St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney), Ellie O’Brien (St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam), Ava Gallagher (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Susan Martin Vaqueri, Sophie Herbert (Ursuline College, Sligo).

There is extensive Mayo involvement in the coaching set-up also, with Stephen Lacken of St. Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, and Seamus MacEachmharcaigh of Sacred Heart School, Westport, joining manager Dom Coll (retired), Lucy Smyth and Paddy Martyn of Presentation College, Athenry, on the sidelines.

The three-day tournament sees 68 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 is the first step in the process of selecting the FAI Schools international development squad of 18 players who will compete next season in a series of international games.

All eyes will be on the series to scout for the best talent on display within the network of post-primary schools.

All games are being live streamed, with links available on the FAI Schools social media platforms (check out the @faischools Facebook and Twitter pages for details).