Mayo’s Amber Hardy named in Ireland Under 19 squad for Belgium friendlies

Foxford native Amber Hardy has been selected for the Ireland Women’s Under 19 squad for two upcoming international friendlies against Belgium.

The games will take place at the Royal Belgian FA’s official training centre as part of Ireland’s preparations for the 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Under 19 European Championship qualifiers.

Amber, a talented goalkeeper who has been making waves with Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland, earned her first call-up to the national squad. She is also a student at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, where her dedication to football has stood out.

The young stopper’s inclusion is a significant achievement for both her club and community, as she joins 19 other players from across Ireland for the friendlies in Belgium.

Head coach Dave Connell’s squad will use these matches as vital preparation ahead of their UEFA Under 19 European Championship round one qualifiers in November, where they will face Bulgaria, Finland and Norway.

The upcoming fixtures are the final warm-up games before the qualifiers, and several players will be looking to impress ahead of the competition.

Hardy is one of several debutants, including Nicole Nix (Wexford) and Lucy O'Rourke (Shelbourne). The squad also features many experienced players who represented Ireland in the UEFA U19 Championships in Lithuania last summer.

The friendlies against Belgium are set for:

Saturday, October 26: Belgium WU19 v Ireland WU19, Proximus Basecamp, Tubize, KO 4 p.m.

Tuesday, October 29: Belgium WU19 v Ireland WU19, Proximus Basecamp, Tubize, KO 2 p.m.

Ireland Women’s Under 19 squad:

Goalkeepers: Katie Keane (Athlone Town), Amber Hardy (Sligo Rovers), Nicole Nix (Wexford)

Defenders: Lucy O'Rourke (Shelbourne), Aoife Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Mary Phillips (Athlone Town), Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan (Wexford), Kiera Sena (Cork City), Lia O'Leary (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Jess Fitzgerald (Peamount United), Hannah Healy (Shelbourne), Eve O'Carroll (Manchester City), Ellen Dolan (Peamount United), Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians), Isabel Ryan (Athlone Town), Freya Healy (Peamount United)

Forwards: Joy Ralph (Shamrock Rovers), Ceola Bergin (Wexford), Katie Lawlee (Treaty United), Katie O'Reilly (Shamrock Rovers)