Athlone girl set for U17 World Cup

BALLINAHOWN soccer starlet Jennifer Byrne is currently preparing for the experience of a lifetime. The Bealnamulla/Athlone Town defender, 17, has been confirmed as part of the Republic of Ireland squad when they jet out shortly to Trinadad & Tobago for the 2010 FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup, which takes place in the Caribbean from September 5- 25. Ireland - in their first ever appearance at a women's World Cup - qualified for the tournament after a superb showing at the European Championships in Switzerland in May, when they shocked most observers by finishing runners-up to Spain, beating red-hot favourites Germany in the semi-finals. Jennifer this week flew to Manchester with the rest of the squad for a rigorous training camp and will return home on Saturday morning, before then departing for Trinidad & Tobago next Thursday (August 26). Ireland - managed by recently appointed national under-21 team manager Noel King (who will step down from the role after the World Cup) - have been pitted in a difficult group (Group D) at the 16-team tournament, alongside Brazil, Canada and Ghana. Despite the obvious reputation attached to any Brazilian team, it's Canada who might be expected to pose most problems for Ireland and their other Group D participants, with the Canadians considered among the powers of women's football in this age category. Canada head into the World Cup as the reigning CONCACAF champions and are looking to improve on their quarter-final appearance at the inaugural junior women's showpiece in New Zealand two years ago. However, Brazil will also be massively difficult opposition and will be desperate to improve on their disappointing group stage exit in New Zealand. They won all their games at the South America Women's Under-17 Championship and will be very confident of going far in this year's competition, while Ghana only played two games in their qualifying process (a two-legged win over Tunisia), but gained great experience at the last World Cup and will again be looking to make a mark. Jennifer was a key player for Ireland as they secured a coveted berth at the World Cup and will be hoping to start at the heart of the Irish defence when they open their campaign against Brazil at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad, on Monday, September 6. The current holders of the World Cup at this level are North Korea.