Cashel star says being part of Irish U/16 training camp was best experience of her life
It was a proud moment for the Flanagan household recently when their young star Grace donned the green jersey of Ireland in a double-header with England.
In what was Tom Elmes’ first games as Head Coach, Grace featured prominantly in both matches, scoring a penalty in a shoot-out after the first game finished in a 2-2 draw.
Ireland took the lead on 35 minutes when Peamount United defender Tara O’Hanlon drifted in a free-kick from outside the opposition’s penalty area and it evaded everyone to nestle in the back of the net.
The hosts held that slender lead going in at the interval, but England hit back with a penalty from Ginny Lackey and a close-range finish from Kiera Barry.
However, Ireland got back level when Fleming smashed in a free-kick from distance that wrapped up a deserved result for both teams.
Speaking to The Premier, Grace said it was one of the best experiences of her life. “The quality in the players and the game is so high and you have to really find it within yourself to be at your best every time you are playing.
Each day we were called at 8:30am and we would have breakfast at 9 and go for a little walk around the hotel. After we had our breakfast we would train or have a meeting about training. The demands of being at that level are so high and you always need to be switched on no matter the time of day. My position in camp was to have an amazing time and enjoy every second because I’m a year younger. My ambitions for the next 12 months are to work on my fitness and try and improve on myself as a player and a person and try and make the Irish u16 team again next year,” said Grace.