CARNDONAGH CS will represent FAI Schools this week in the Rod Houston Cup for the first time in the Schools history as Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire plays host.
As host nation, England will have two representative teams participating, namely their ChampionsShenfield High School, Essex and runners up Crompton House Church of England School, Oldham.
Also competing against the Donegal starlets will be Welsh Champions Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Saint Asaph.
Conor Doherty’s Carndonagh CS team qualified for this prestigious event following a dramatic victory in the FAI Schools First Year Girls National Cup Final contest edging out Presentation Secondary School, Wexford in a five goal thriller in Oriel Park, Dundalk FC last May.
Extra time was required to divide these two top class sides. Carn Captain Fiona Doherty turned supplier for Schools International Ellie Long as she netted from close range after just 11 minutes. The Wexford equaliser came ten minutes later through Katie Law.
Long scored her second of the afternoon courtesy of a super set piece to edge the contest 2-1 on 26 minutes.
Again, Katie Law secured her brace to tie the game at 2-2, eight minutes from time.
The match winner came five minutes into extra time when Diver, Brennan and McCarron worked their magic to feed the ball into Clare Gill who made not mistake to take the title.
The three day event will kick off on Wednesday afternoon (October 2) when Carndonagh Community School take on Crompton House Church of England School, Oldham while Shenfield High School, Essex entertain Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Saint Asaph. Both these games kick off simultaneously at 5.15pm
Day two will see English Champions Shenfield High School take on the Irish side with Oldham’s girls taking on the Welsh outfit at 11.15am.
Friday’s fixtures have the Republic of Ireland representatives facing the Welsh while it will be all English affair to finish up the tie at 10.30am.
The table toppers will be awarded the Rod Houston Cup following the final series of games as well as the Nigel Brown Trophy to be awarded to the best player of the tournament.
The Donegal girls showed great class last season in the National Cup campaign and will relish the opportunity to showcase their talents on a bigger stage.
Carndonagh Community School panel: Samantha McLaughlin, Suzie Lafferty, Ellie Long, Ailish Doherty, Imogen Diver, Seaneen Crumlish, Cora McCaul, Alanah Brennan, Aisling Doherty, Fiona Dohery. Clara Gill, Aoife McCarron, Erin Grant, Niamh Devlin, Jenna Gallagher, Julia Grant, Rachel McLaughlin, Courtney Gallagher
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