History will be made at Strandhill community park on Saturday afternoon next when the host club and Sligo Champions Strand Celtic play host to Saint Francis from Dublin. Saint Francis who have an illustrious history in girls and ladies football will start as clear favourites but the Sligo girls will give everything on Saturday afternoon to reach a first ever National Final for the Sligo-Leitrim league.
Saint Francis are based in north Dublin. The St Francis FC ladies team are current FAI Senior Champions and will be heading to the European Chamionships in the Summer of 2010. This gives you a perspective on the challenge facing the strand celtic girls on Saturday afternoon next.
The strand celtic management team of Paddy Norman, AJ Cogan and Claire Gilfoyle have been with this squad for some time and will no doubt have the girls well prepared for Saturdays encounter. While Strnad Celtic will look to intenraitonal Emma Hansberry and Gaynor Cup player, Lauren Boles, to drive the team on they will be hoping for another solid team performance which was the platform for their quarter final victory over Limerick. The girls have been sponsored for the last two years by Mark and Connie Ballintine from Bella Vista in Strandhill.
The Strand Celtic squad is:
Lauren Mcgee: Team goalkeeper (a striker in season 2009) who has had a great season between the posts. Good shot stopper with a safe pair of hands. Necessity put her in goal but natural ability has kept her there.
Leah Kerrigan: Right full. With Strand since u12 and has developed into a very competent defender. Good eye to ball coordination and well able to “mix it” with opposing wingers. Award winner for her performances at under 18 this season.
Lisa Melly : Now In her second season with Strand Lisa has established herself well and firmly in the left full berth and made it her own. She is aggressive in the tackle, hard to beat and a good distributor of the ball.
Claire Horan: Another club Veteran, Claire plays sweeper. She has pace to burn and is not afraid of the ball in the air. Always keeps it safe at the back and is very reliable.
Aisling Brenan: Centre Half. Aggressive determined player with a positive attitude. Not afraid to get stuck in and clear her lines when the going gets tough. Award winner for her performances at under 18 this season.
Aisling Gilgan: Can play left midfield or left full. Great worker on the pitch and will run all day if she has to. Good at tracking back and stopping oncoming attacks. Award winner for her performances at under 16 this season.
Karen Frahill: The team’s only left-footer, Karen plays left midfield where her left foot is a distinct advantage. Very good at using the wide spaces and protecting the ball.
Emma Hansberry: Captain and centre midfielder, Emma’s abilities on the football pitch have earned her representative honours at both Provincial and National level where she is a member of the current Irish under 17 squad. This year’s under 18 player of the year, Emma’s contribution to Strand Celtic’s successes at under 16 and 18 has been immense.
Lauren Boles : Another debutante at the club, Lauren is gifted both with seemingly endless energy and excellent ball skills. She is the engine of the team, has earned representative honours at Provincial level this year and is this year’s under 16 player of the year.
Edel Sheerin: In her third season at the club, Edel can play up front or wide on the right side of midfield. Her pace and ball control makes the latter position her most effective where she can torment opposing defences. Award winner for her performances at under 16 this season.
Shannon Dykes : In her first year at under 16, Shannon can play wide right or up front. Good ball control, good pace and a competitive streak make her a real danger for opposing defenders.
Aoife Masterson : First year at under 16, Aoife has good ball skills and uses them well in her role as striker. Has a good football brain and always tries to do the right thing with the ball.
Emma Harte: In her first year at under 16, Emma can play in midfield or up front. Has a very good touch and is a smart player in that she always attempts to play the pass that keeps her team in possession.
Muireann Morrissey: Another Strand “veteran” Muireann plays right midfield and does so with great energy. Has good ball control and plays with positive attitude – an example to her teammates.
Niamh Kelly : Long standing Strand member, Niamh is our “utility player”. Whether it’s to cover an absent sweeper or midfielder Niamh is your woman. Her pace , stamina and natural ability make her an ever present in the team.
Rachel Norman: Another Strand evergreen, Rachel plays in the front line. Has good pace and works hard to win possession and use the ball well. Has shown great improvement this season and was rewarded with a fine goal in Strand’s 6-2 defeat of Askeaton FC in the quarter final of the Umbro Cup.
Shauna McGovern: Shauna has rejoined the squad to provide goalkeeping cover after other commitment s kept her out of the squad earlier in the season. Shauna has won u14 titles with the club.