St Mary’s Soccer team fly the Flag in England

St Mary’s Secondary School Nenagh’s Under 14 girls soccer team enjoyed a unique honour recently when they represented Ireland in the prestigious Rod Heuston Cup.

Following their SFAI National Cup success last season, the girls travelled to Shropshire in England, where the annual tournament is staged at the leafy Lilleshall Sports Complex – famously the training base of England’s 1966 World Cup–winning team.

The players got a real taste of life as elite athletes, sharing the facilities with Team GB gymnasts and hockey players.

On the pitch, the entire squad did themselves, their school, clubs, and country proud. Their opening game against Welsh champions Stanwell ended in a 1–1 draw, but a penalty shootout saw the Welsh edge it 4–3. The effects of an early morning flight perhaps taking its toll.

Day 2 brought another Welsh challenge, this time against Caerleon. With plenty of squad rotation, St Mary’s ran out convincing 5–0 winners. Any notion of rivalry was left on the pitch however, as the three schools mixed seamlessly off the field. Sadly, for the supervising teachers, the girls’ footballing talents did not extend to the singing and dancing at that evening’s impromptu talent show!

On the final day, St Mary’s faced the formidable Surbiton High of London, whose squad included several players linked to Premier League academies. Undaunted, the Nenagh girls gave a superb account of themselves, scoring the only goal Surbiton conceded in the entire tournament. In the end, Surbiton proved too strong, winning 3–1 and lifted the Rod Heuston Cup.

While results were important, the real value of the trip lay in the memories made. St Mary’s are deeply grateful to the local businesses whose sponsorship made the journey possible, as well as to the families who supported the girls throughout their preparations and those that travelled to cheer them on from the sidelines.

A special word of thanks goes to the teaching staff – Mr Doherty, Mr Mullarkey, and especially team manager Ms Jill White – whose tireless work ensured the girls enjoyed a truly unforgettable experience.

St Mary’s squad: Hailee Tanner (Captain) Daisy Ryan, Maeve Gleeson, Jenny Talbot, Caoimhe Kennedy, Abi O’Brien, Jane Power, Jenna McSherry, Tara Hanrahan, Anna Costello, Maddie Deane, Alannah O’Carroll, Abi Carr, Mia Dziewiatka, Melina Halbina, Amy Keogh.