Strand Celtic U16 player Emma Hansberry has been called up to the Republic of Ireland U17 International Squad by manager Noel King.

Emma has previously played for the Republic of Ireland schoolgirls against Northern Ireland, scoring on her debut in a three all draw in Belfast earlier this year. This completes a fantastic year for Emma on the international front with this call up. Emma follows in the footsteps of her former teammate, Bronagh Kerins, who played for the Republic of Ireland U19 Ladies team last season against Italy and Poland.

Emma recently completed a double with the Strand Celtic U16 and U18 girls playing in the teams that took both titles in the Sligo and Leitrim Schoolgirls league. Emma was leading scorer for both the Strand Celtic U16 and U18 squads this season. She is a very popular player at the club and someone who is always committed and gives 100% in every game. She capped a fine season at club level with some fantastic goals in the recent league finals.

Emma is also a very talented GAA player and plies her trade for Saint Marys and has also recently turned out for the Sligo Ladies U16 GAA side. She always helps out around the club and was recently helping out with the club shop at the recent Connacht Youth Finals in Strandhill. She has also been know to train with the STrand Celtic mens senior team to sharpen her skills in preparation for international duty.

Everyone as the club is delighted for Emma and her family and the call up is richly deserved, Hopefully Emma can go on to gain a full cap in the months to come. In any case to make the current squad is a great achievement when one considers the current standard of girls football in Ireland. The Irish U17 girls recentl qualified for the last four of the european championships when beating one fo Europes strongholds in the womens game, Sweden.

Emma is pictured after her appearance with the Ireland Schoolgirls earlier this year with her team managers at U16 and U18 level with Strand Celtic AJ Cogan and Paddy Norman.