St. Marys College Student Lucy O’Rourke helps Ireland to Schoolgirls success in Bob Docherty Tournament
On April 14th St. Marys College student Lucy O’Rourke was part of the Ireland U-15 Schoolgirls team that claimed the Bob Docherty cup in Newcastle I the UK. Lucy plays for Peamount Utd and is an integral part of the school soccer teams in St. Marys College and was a big part of the Leinster Junior (U-17) A Cup winning team in March of this year.
Before this though back in September 2021 Lucy was sent for trials for a Leinster schoolgirls team by teacher and coach James Langton for the annual interprovincial schools’ tournament in November 2021. Lucy was one of approximately 200 students who attended the trials over a five-week period and Lucy was selected on the Leinster panel after the trials. Indeed Lucy was named Vice-captain for the tournament which Leinster narrowly lost out to Munster on goal difference.
Following the tournament a panel of the 30 best players were chosen to train as part of a schoolgirls development squad aimed at putting a team together for the Bob Docherty Tournament. Lucy was selected as part of the squad and after a series of preparation games and training sessions Lucy was selected as part of the final 18 player Ireland Schoolgirls U-15 squad. The team flew out to Newcastle UK on Saturday 9th April and played their first game Vs England on Monday April 11th where Ireland were victorious on a 4-1 scoreline with Lucy playing a key role in the Irish defence. This saw the Irish team claim the John Read trophy and set up a possible double success. On Tuesday 12th April Ireland faced Northern Ireland and in a free scoring game Ireland won 4-3 securing a place at the final against Scotland with Lucy again playing the full game.
In the final Ireland found themselves pinned down for large periods of the game with Lucy clearing one ball off the line and it was Ireland who grabbed the all important goal to claim the cup for Richard Berkeleys side. Lucy was named Player of the Match for her exceptional performance in the final. Lucy is a fantastic talent and everyone in St. Marys College is very proud of her achievements with Ireland this week.