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Carn's Zoe chosen for Ireland U19s 18.09.08
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
CARNDONAGH FC striker Zoe Doherty’s progression at
international level reached a new level last week
when she was selected in Sue Ronan’s U19 WFAI squad
for the upcoming European Championship qualifying
tournament in Israel.
Doherty, who has just turned 17, received
notification by mail last week. She will join up
with her Ireland team-mates and fly out to next
Monday.
The Irish team take on Greece on the 24th of
September, followed by the hosts two days later and
Iceland on the 29th. The top two teams go forward to
the elite stage of the competition, held in the
spring. |
Speaking to the
Inishowen Independent, Ms Doherty said she had been
hopeful rather than expectant of winning a place in
the squad.
“I wouldn’t be one of those people who are over
confident, but I was hopeful. I’ve been training
with the U19s all summer and started in friendly
games against England in England and Northern
Ireland. I hope I can play in Israel and score too.”
Zoe’s international manager was full of praise for
her new centre forward.
“Zoe gives us something a little bit different.
She’s an old fashioned centre forward who has a good |
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touch and can hold the
ball up well. Her fitness has really come on in the
last year,” Sue Ronan said.
Zoe agreed: “When you are training with older girls
you have to push yourself to keep up.”
Zoe only made her U17 Irish debut last year, scoring
a penalty against Poland in a mini-tournament, and
her elevation to the U19 squad so soon is a major
feat.
She has experience playing away internationals in
Europe, having taken to the field in the green shirt
in France and Turkey over the last twelve months.
Because of International commitments, Zoe missed
Carndonagh’s Cup final defeat to Greencastle, but
adds that retaining the Inishowen league title was a
big achievement.
“Retaining the league was the hard part. I’m not
saying people didn’t expect us to win last year, but
this summer everyone was out to beat us so the
pressure was on.”
Turning her attention back to this months
competitive internationals, Zoe is confident Ireland
can progress, but she does have one concern.
“It’s 31 degrees out there at the minute. It will be
hard running in that heat for the first couple of
days.” |
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