A Northern Ireland Under-16 girls’ development squad will be competing in this year’s SuperCupNI tournament next week.
They are due to face teams from USA, Scotland and Republic of Ireland in the group section of the Women’s U16 (Premier) competition within the international youth football tournament.
First up for the U16s, on Monday (24 July), is a game against Dublin-based Shamrock Rovers at The Diamond in Rathcoole (16.30 kick-off).
The following day the opposition will be Northeast Rush, a club based in America’s North-East. The venue for the match is Cloyne Crescent in Monkstown (16.30).
Their third and final group game will be against Rangers next Wednesday. That game is scheduled to take place at Dixon Park in Ballyclare at 19.00.
Northern Ireland’s placing in the group will then determine if they take part in the final of the Girls’ U16 (Premier) Cup, Globe or Vase next Friday.
Danielle McDowell Tuffey, the Irish FA’s Girls’ Elite Youth Academy Manager, will act as head coach for the U16s. The assistant coaches for the team are Gail Redmond, the Northern Ireland WU19/WU17 boss, and experienced international defender Julie Nelson. Alan Simpson is the goalkeeping coach.
McDowell Tuffey has chosen an 18-strong squad for the tournament.
The Northern Ireland WU16 squad for SuperCupNI 2023 is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Abbie Smith (Crusaders Strikers), Kate Smith (Larne Women).
Defenders – Sophie Hutchinson and Laura Dowie (both Glentoran Women), Anastasija Stanyte (Craigavon City), Daisy Conway (Lisburn Rangers), Caitlin Carlisle (Crusaders Strikers).
Midfielders – Darcie McNeill, Sophie Pollock, Jessica McGuinness and Niamh Hassan (all Crusaders Strikers), Clodagh Maguire and Olivia Campbell (both Glentoran Women).
Forwards – Sophie Kelly-Bradley and Gracie Conway (both Lisburn Rangers), Lucy Kelly and Kayli-ann Clayton (both Crusaders Strikers), Bernie Ferreira (Cliftonville Ladies).
This year the summer tournament is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
SuperCupNI 2023 matches are due to start on Monday (24 July) across four male age groups and two girls’ age groups, with the tournament concluding with finals day on Friday 28 July.
Matches are set to be staged at venues in three council areas: Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey.
For further information on the tournament go to www.supercupni.com.
Image: Darcie McNeill in action for Northern Ireland’s WU17s against Republic of Ireland back in the autumn.
