Irish must show Dutch courage

Ireland’s U17 girls will stride into battle tomorrow morning in what captain Leah Ewert and vice-captain Roisin Upton believe will be the toughest of their encounters at the World Youth Olympics in Singapore against the Netherlands (9am Irish time). Dave Passmore’s panel arrived in the south-east Asia a week ago and have since been taking in the sights and sounds of the Olympic village and arena, with Ewart and Upton interviewed locally about their thoughts on the country and competition.

The squad has undergone a number of alterations since the original announcement back in June. The irish U18 player of the year Dora Gorman has stepped out, following an incredibly busy sporting summer on three fronts. She will contest the U17 soccer world championships in the West Indies following Ireland’s run to the European final while also helping her club, Salthill Devon, to the women’s FAI Senior Cup final. Gorman also lined out in midfield for Galway as they won the minor ladies All-Ireland title in late July and was an ever-present in Ireland’s U18 Home Nations’ hockey success. The Munster contingent has swelled to four, with Cork C of I’s Amy Kate Trevor joining Upton, Antonia McGrath and Irish U18 team-mate Rebecca Barry, after Gemma Fraser was ruled out due to acclimatisation issues in the sweltering Singapore heat. Furthermore, Emily Beatty comes into the squad after an impressive showing at the latter tournament, alongside Joanna Orr and Katie Morris. Ireland go into their opening encounter with the Dutch – the two sides are the sole European representatives – with  confidence, having recorded a brilliant 2-1 win against Argentina while also impressing in some facets in a 3-0 defeat to South Africa. They will be keen to exact a modicum of revenge against a Holland side which upset the Irish U16 management at the Europeans in Barcelona earlier this summer. New Zealand, Argentina, Korea and South Africa follow in the group stages before the classification matches take place on August 24 and 25 in which the top two from the two groups reaching the semi-final stages. Ireland U-17 panel: Rebecca Barry (Laurel Hill/Catholic Institute), Chloe Brown (Nendrum College/North Down), Lucy Camlin GK (Ballyclare HS/Pegasus), Amy Cooke (Ballyclare HS/Lisnagarvey), Leah Ewart (Royal School Armagh/Armagh), Amy Kate Trevor (Scoil Mhuire/Cork C of I), Jenna Holmes (GK, Carrickfergus/Randalstown), Lisa McCarthy (Mount Anville/Railway Union), Kerri McDonald (Banbridge Academy/Dromore), Antonia McGrath (Ursuline Convent/Cork Harlequins), Lucy McKee (Banbridge Academy/Armagh), Katie Mullin (Dalriada/Ballymoney), Roisin Upton (Crescent College Comprehensive/Catholic Institute), Emily Beatty (Alexandra College/Old Alex), Joanne Orr (Royal School, Armagh/Armagh), Katie Morris (Strathearn/Lisnagarvey). Match Schedule: Monday, August 16 (9am, Irish time): Ireland vs Netherlands Tuesday, August 17 (11.30am, Irish time): Ireland vs New Zealand Thursday, August 19 (11am, Irish time): Ireland vs Argentina Friday, August 20 (9.30am, Irish time): Ireland vs Korea Sunday, August 22 (1pm, Irish time): Ireland vs South Africa Tuesday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 25: Classification matches