Category: Announcments

by Jonathan Purvis

EXPERIENCE TEACHES MCQUILLAN TO REMAIN FOCUSED

Two trips to UEFA European Championship tournaments can either spoil a player or make them motivated to reach a third. Amanda McQuillan subscribes to the latter.

Now entering her fourth qualifying campaign with the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 19s, the Meath native is taking all of the preparation in her stride ahead of Tuesday’s game against Macedonia.

Dave Connell’s squad travelled to Southern Europe with the intention of returning home clutching a place in the Elite Round, but overcoming their hosts in the first of three Qualifying Round games is where it all starts.

McQuillan, one of the senior players in a youthful squad, knows exactly what is at stake and how to go about achieving their goal.

“It’s very important to get off to a good start in qualifying because we have such a short amount of time to pick up results and every game matters,” said McQuillan.

“We are only looking at Macedonia right now because they are the first team up. If we can beat them then we will go into the other games high on confidence, but we have to win the game first.”

It sounds quite simple: win your games and qualify for the next stage. Except McQuillan knows all about the potential pitfalls as well as finding the route to the finals – she was part of the ‘History Girls’ U19 squad in 2014 and the ‘Ice Queens’ U17 squad in 2015.

The agile goalkeeper, who plays her club football with Shelbourne Ladies, believes in her team-mates and when she expresses that level of trust it feels genuine as she glows about individual talent, collective unity, and competition for places.

“This is a really good squad and it’s kind of silly the amount of talented players that we have. The good thing is that we all get along and that’s key because it helps you click on the pitch,” said McQuillan.

“Dave (Connell) is going to have a difficult time picking 11 players for each game and it’s up to us to make it a tough job for him. We also have to perform in the games and make sure that we get results – starting with Macedonia.”

 

Fixtures
Tuesday, October 18: Republic of Ireland v Macedonia, FFM Training Centre, Skopje, KO 13:30
Thursday, October 20: Republic of Ireland v Wales, Boris Trajkovski, Skopje, KO 13:30
Sunday, October 23: Republic of Ireland v Italy, Boris Trajkovski, Skopje, KO 13:30

 

Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 19s
Goalkeepers: Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies), Naoisha McAloon (Peamount United)
Defenders: Lucy McCartan (Peamount United), Fiona Donnelly, Lynn Craven (Shelbourne Ladies), Chloe Moloney (Galway WFC), Jamie Finn (Florida Gulf Coast University), Niamh Prior (UCD Waves)
Midfielders: Evelyn Daly, Saoirse Noonan (Cork City WFC), Alex Kavanagh, Sophie Watters (Shelbourne Ladies), Roma McLaughlin, Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Jessica Nolan (Galway WFC)
Forwards: Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, Dearbhabile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies)

by Jonathan Purvis

UEFA European Championship

Yet again Amanda McQuillan will represent Ireland this week in the UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign.  Amanda has been chosen by head coach Dave Connell to be part of this squad in what looks to be an exciting yet tricky group.  Best of Luck from us all Amanda in the Games

Full Interview with Amanda’s coach below

Dave Connell is excited to get started in a new UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign with his Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 19 squad.

In Macedonia for three Qualifying Round games, Ireland are aiming to do enough to march on to the Elite Round before hopefully booking a place at next summer’s finals tournament in Northern Ireland.

First things first, Connell is keeping his players focused on their opening game. Taking on the hosts, Macedonia, on Tuesday afternoon will not be a straightforward assignment, as their experienced head coach knows all too well.

“This is a tricky group. We will be expected, by many, to beat Macedonia and that brings a type of challenge that our players will have to rise to,” said Connell.

“I’m very excited about this squad and I believe that we can go all the way to the finals. But we have three big challenges to overcome, starting with Macedonia, and we cannot take anything for granted.”

Connell has been down this road before, as Under 19 and Under 17 head coach, and twice he has led teams to European finals. So when he offers advice, it is worth paying close attention.

Experience is something that is shared amongst his squad with two players having been part of the ‘History Girls’ squad that reached the European semi-finals in 2014 and 13 players having travelled to Iceland for the European finals in 2015.

The newcomers to the group are goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon, defender Lynn Craven, midfielder Alex Kavanagh, and striker Leanne Kiernan, while Niamh Farrelly has previously been involved with the squad.

Connell is upbeat about his team’s chances and his diligent approach to these qualifying campaigns (which includes assembling a shrewd backroom staff) will be crucial as they get going.

The first game kicks off on Tuesday, October 18 and Connell feels that preparations are going well. But it’s all about translating that into a solid performance on the pitch and that is exactly what he will be asking of his players.

 

Fixtures
Tuesday, October 18: Republic of Ireland v Macedonia, FFM Training Centre, Skopje, KO 13:30
Thursday, October 20: Republic of Ireland v Wales, Boris Trajkovski, Skopje, KO 13:30
Sunday, October 23: Republic of Ireland v Italy, Boris Trajkovski, Skopje, KO 13:30

Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 19s
Goalkeepers: Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies), Naoisha McAloon (Peamount United)
Defenders: Lucy McCartan (Peamount United), Fiona Donnelly, Lynn Craven (Shelbourne Ladies), Chloe Moloney (Galway WFC), Jamie Finn (Florida Gulf Coast University), Niamh Prior (UCD Waves)
Midfielders: Evelyn Daly, Saoirse Noonan (Cork City WFC), Alex Kavanagh, Sophie Watters (Shelbourne Ladies), Roma McLaughlin, Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Jessica Nolan (Galway WFC)
Forwards: Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, Dearbhabile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies)

Dylan Ireland
by Jonathan Purvis

Ireland U21 Squad Named

Ireland’s under 21s will take on Slovenia and Serbia next week and we were delighted to See Dylan named on the Squad again.  We will be all cheering you best of luck from us all.

Full FAI Press release below

 

King names U21 squad for Slovenia & Serbia Qualifiers

REPUBLIC of Ireland U21 Head Coach Noel King has named his squad for next month’s UEFA U21 Championships Qualifying Round fixtures against Slovenia and Serbia.

The Irish host Slovenia at Waterford RSC on Friday, September 2 (7.30pm), then travel to Novi Sad for the first of back to back meetings with Serbia on Tuesday, September 6 (5.00pm Irish).

King has been unable to choose from a full complement of options due to injuries to Conor Wilkinson, Niall Keown, Brian Lenihan, Sam Byrne and Ian Lawlor, while Jack Connors is suspended and Callum O’Dowda has been drafted into the senior international squad.

Sean Kavanagh and Darragh Lenihan will miss the Slovenia encounter through suspension but will be available for the encounter in Serbia.

“We’ve a tough period ahead with these two games and then the visit of Serbia in October. Slovenia are ranked ahead of us and showed over there that they are a good team but what was disappointing from our point of view was the fact that we conceded three goals from set pieces in that game,” said King.

“We have to look at that. We will look to correct it and will try to win this game on Friday. There is a lot of emotion around the game with us returning to Waterford for the first time without Milo Corcoran with us following his sad death earlier this week.

“We’ll all try to do the best we can for him. He was a man of high standards and will be a huge loss around the staff table and amongst the players, where he was very highly respected.”

With qualification no longer in their sights, King and his staff are looking to balance out the transition between seeing out this campaign before turning their eye to the next campaign.

“We’re without a number of players but we’ve brought in some of the players born in 1996 and 1997 such as Olamide Shodipo and Jake Mulraney. We’ve also added Courtney Duffus from Everton as it’s important that we keep an eye on the present and the future at the same time,” said King.

The Irish boss is pleased to see the return of defender Tommie Hoban, who has joined Blackburn in a loan move, while the progress of O’Dowda to the senior squad has been another positive.

“We’re glad to see Callum go up. Every player here wants to go up to the seniors, it is a part of the job without taking away from every player going out against Slovenia looking to win the game,” said the Irish boss.

“Martin O’Neill has been to the games and he hasn’t been afraid to include these players. That’s one aspect of it.

“Tommie Hoban started his career really well with Watford and has been plagued with various injuries in recent times but he’s a terrific character – hopefully he’ll get back into top form and stay injury free now. Eoghan O’Connell also comes in after a good spell with Celtic.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 SQUAD:

Daniel Rogers (Aberdeen – on loan at Falkirk)

Liam Bossin (RSC Anderlecht)

Thomas Hoban (Watford – on loan at Blackburn)

Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers)

Kevin Toner (Aston Villa – on loan at Walsall)

Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic)

Glen Rea (Luton Town)

Eoghan O’Connell (Celtic)

Sean Kavanagh (Fulham)

Joshua Cullen (West Ham – on loan at Bradford)

Alan Browne (Preston North End)

Connor Dimaio (Chesterfield)

Kevin O’Connor (Cork City)

Jack Byrne (Man City – on loan at Blackburn)

Harry Charsley (Everton)

Sean Maguire (Cork City)

Courtney Duffus (Everton)

Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers)

Reece Grego-Cox (QPR)

Olamide Shodipo (QPR)

Jake Mulraney (Inverness Caley Thistle)

 

FIXTURES

 

UEFA U21 Championships Qualifying Round Group 2

Friday, September 2

Republic of Ireland v Slovenia, Regional Sports Centre, Waterford (7.30pm)

 

Tuesday, September 6

Serbia  v Republic of Ireland, Karadjordje, Novi Sad (5.00pm Irish).

Help Wanted
by Jonathan Purvis

Your Club Needs You

Our Club works for our community with the help of a team of volunteers.  Without volunteers to help we would have no club and the kids would have no local football.

So now we are in need of more help.  We need someone who could manage a team and help bring them on a journey of learning, fun and lifelong friendship.  Sport is a fantastic way for children to learn and communicate.

Currently we are looking for managers for a second U15 team, U8 and U7.  You will need to give up a few hours a week, become Garda Vetted and complete a course in Child Welfare in Sport.

If you would like to become involved please email us at communitycoaches@johnstownfc.ie

by Jonathan Purvis

Website Makeover

During the summer we have given our website a makeover and with eight days until our first senior game we are pleased that phase one is now ready.

 

All the senior sections are ready for the new NEFL season and we can now work on the NECSL sections as their new season will start in September. So follow the link and have a look, we hope you like it.

 

by Jonathan Purvis

Girls Soccer Training July 2106.

UPDATE

Our girls training continues tonight in the MDL from 7pm open to all girls 8 to 13.  New Members are more then welcome.  Why not come on down and give it a go!

Girls Soccer Training

Building on our Success over the last two years with all girls Soccer we will be commencing training on the 2nd of July in the MDL.  All players are asked to attend at 11am.

We are also looking for new members,  so any girl out there looking to play football please come on down on the 2nd of July to start your soccer journey.  All coaches are Garda Vetted, training in child safety and trained in official FAI training course.