A Celtic Girls’ Academy 15s select travelled to Hjorring in the north of Denmark last week to take part in the international Dana Cup tournament.
Image & Report: Celtic FC
The team won everyone’s admiration and came home with the trophy after an unbeaten run of eight matches.
A remarkable 1,000 teams from all over the world – including the USA and Argentina – took part in this tournament for girls and boys in age-groups 12 to 19.
Celtic played in the Girls’ 15 competition in a section with teams from Denmark and Norway.
After qualifying from their group, the girls marched through from the last 32 to the final, losing only one goal in the process.
In a nail-biting final against Viking FK from Norway, the win was clinched in extra time with a last-minute goal by 13-year old Keira Chuter.
David Haley, Celtic’s Women’s Football and Girls’ Academy Manager, told the Celtic website: “What an incredible achievement by the whole squad. To go to Denmark and perform the way they did has made everyone involved in girls’ and women’s football at the club incredibly proud.
“The Dana Cup is an extremely difficult tournament to win and the girls had to contend with many obstacles along the way. These included playing two games a day in extreme temperatures, as well as late-night and early-morning starts.
“Many of the players in the squad were younger than the age band we were playing and they would be playing against opponents on some occasions two or three years older, so it truly is an exceptional achievement.”
He added: “Our opponents along the way were powerful and Viking FK and Fortuna Hjorring, for instance, had international players on the field also.
“I’m sure this experience will serve the girls well in their future and I’m positive it will be an experience they will never forget.
“Congratulation also to our staff who were on the journey with the squad: Edward Gallagher, Stevie Burr and Kelly Clark. They all made a massive contribution to the winning of the trophy.
“Finally, thanks go to all the players, parents and fans at home who supported the girls throughout the tournament.”
The winning squad: Tegayn Hamilton*, Mirin Easdon, Paige McAllister, Abbie Cusack, Carleen Dolan, Chloe Warrington*, Rebecca McAllister, Olivia Potter, Olivia King, Kirsty O’Brien, Machaela MacLeod, Ami Robertson, Morgan Graham, Keira Chuter, Maria McAneny, Kathleen McGovern*.
The top scorer for Celtic was Kathleen McGovern with 18 in eight games.
* Each squad was allowed three overage players.
