Club approval for Leah

ST. Joseph's Secondary School pupil Leah McHugh has been congratulated by her club, Castlebar Celtic, on her performances in Wales with the Irish Under 15 girls team at the annual INSPIRESPORT Bob Docherty tournament.

The tournament was staged at Dragon Park, home of the Welsh FA. Leah started the first game, an impressive 5-0 victory against hosts Wales, and made a second-half appearance against Northern Ireland, a game the Republic won 3-1.

Leah was back in the starting 11 in the final against England. Unfortunately, the Irish girls were beaten 1-0 by a very strong England team, a result that secured the English girls the title. It was a third consecutive runners-up finish for the Republic of Ireland.

Leah's Ireland and Celtic coach Richie Berkeley (Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh) was delighted with Leah's contribution. “Leah had a great tournament,” he said. “She is excellent on the ball but it was her hard work and commitment that stood out. She did everything that was asked of her and she can be very proud of her achievement.

“We were unlucky in the final but we did come up against a physically strong England team and that was the difference.”