Laois teenager selected for Republic of Ireland U-19 Women’s squad for Northern Ireland friendlies

A Laois teenager has been selected on the Republic of Ireland U-19 Women’s squad for two friendlies this week.

Clonaslee’s Emily Corbet, who plays for Athlone Town in the Women’s National League, has been named among the midfielders.

Corbet, younger sister of Laois football goalkeeper Niall, has previously played for her country at U-17 level.

Portarlington’s Della Doherty is not included in Head Coach Dave Connell’s 27-player squad.

The Peamount United defender, who scored a cracking goal a few weeks ago in a 4-0 win against Galway, will begin her Leaving Cert in Colaiste Iosagain this week and is unavailable as a result.

It is 15 months since the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-19s played a game

The Girls in Green will act as hosts for the first game on Wednesday, June 9 in Dublin before travelling up to Belfast for the second fixture on Friday, June 11.

For Head Coach Dave Connell, this is a welcome return to action even if it is the first time that he, and his staff, will be working with this particular group of players.

The games are needed, however, as the WU19s have the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championships circled on their calendars with qualifiers against England, Northern Ireland and Switzerland to come later this year.

Connell said: “It’s great to be able to get back working with a squad again after such a long time.

“We all fully understand why underage international football had to be suspended with a global pandemic affecting people’s lives – so we won’t take this opportunity for granted and will continue to follow all of the recommended protocols.

“For these two games, we have a chance to work with a group of talented players in what should be two good tests against Northern Ireland.

“The aim is to identify the players who will be part of our squad when we start our EURO Qualifying campaign in October.

“We are looking forward to getting back onto the pitch and working towards the goal of qualifying for the European Championships in Czech Republic.

“There is a lot of work to be done to achieve that but we’re ready to get going.”

Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-19 Squad

Goalkeepers: Ciara Glackin (Athlone Town), Leah Hayes Cohen (Cork City), Rugile Auskalnyte (DLR Waves)

Defenders: Olivia Milner (Aston Villa), Meghan Carr (Cork City), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Abby Tuthill (Shamrock Rovers), Eve O’Sullivan (Treaty United), Chloe Smullen (Peamount United), Shauna Brennan (Galway WFC)

Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Emily Corbet (Athlone Town), Jessica Neville (Leicester City), Melissa O’Kane (Athlone Town), Nicola McNamara (Galway WFC), Muireann Devaney (Athlone Town), Teegán Lynch (Sion Swifts), Olivia Gibson (Treaty United), Maria Reynolds (Shamrock Rovers), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Jenna Slattery (Treaty United)

Forwards: Laura Shine (Cork City), Abbie Callanan (Galway WFC), Rebecca Watkins (Peamount United), Erin McLaughlin (Sion Swifts), Aoife Horgan (Treaty United), Orlagh Fitzpatrick (Peamount United)

International Friendlies 
June 9 | Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland | AUL Complex, Dublin | KO 3pm

June 11 | Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland | Queen’s University, Belfast | KO 16:30

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/06/08/laois-teenager-selected-for-republic-of-ireland-u-19-womens-squad-for-northern-ireland-friendlies/