Irish women’s team for Portuguese tournament
The Irish women’s international soccer team, in preparation for their upcoming European Championships, are embarking on a number of high profile games in the coming months.
These matches include an invitation to the Algarve Cup in March, a tournament which features world class sides like the United States and China. Ireland will compete in Section C and have been drawn against Greece, Portugal and Wales.
Noel King, the Irish manager, says, “we are delighted to be included on the guest list for the Portuguese event, an invitation that stems from our recent results which have been excellent.
“While these games are primarily preparation for the European Championships in May, in which we play Bosnia, Croatia and Romania, there is no doubt we will be attempting to win Ireland’s first ever women’s tournament on the Continent.
“Ireland’s only previous success at international level was winning the Celt Cup in 2000 and while many of us were involved in that triumph we want to go one better at a higher level,” says King.
The Irish squad is :
Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Sharon Boyle (Shamrock Rovers), Marie Curtin (Lifford), Stefanie Curtis (Bristol Rovers), Dolores Deasley (Hofstra University, New York), Ronnie Gibbons (Fulham), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Louise Henchy (University of Limerick and Lifford), Sonya Hughes (Predators, Belfast), Grainne Kierans (Charlton Athletic), Jennifer Kett (Shamrock Rovers and Christian Brothers University, Memphis), Samantha McCarthy (Lifford), Michelle O’Brien (Arsenal), Elaine O’Connor (Hofstra University, New York), Olivia O’Toole (Shamrock Rovers), Margaret Saurin (Christian Brothers University, Memphis), Claire Scanlon (Leeds United), Denise Thomas (Leeds United), Caroline Thorpe (Leeds United), Yvonne Treacy (Arsenal).
Manager : Noel King.
Assistant Manager : Myles King.
