A young promising soccer player from Kildorrery will be donning the Irish jersey this week, as she will line out to play for the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Women's U16 squad for the Development Tournament in Dublin, this weekend.

Tara O'Gorman from Ballyvoddy, Kildorrery is a Transition Year student in St Fanahan's College in Mitchelstown and the 15-year-old will be playing with the U16 squad this weekend in matches against Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic over the next five days, with the final game taking place on Monday next. 

Tara was capped for Ireland after they beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in a friendly game in Oriel Park last month and she has shown a flair for soccer from a very young age.

Matt Robinson, who is involved with Park United soccer club in Mitchelstown, where Tara honed in on her skills and also the Cork Women's and Schoolgirls Soccer League, told The Avondhu that Tara has a great future ahead of her in soccer and last year, she was assistant captain on the Cork team.

He added that there are a number of female soccer players who are working their way up to represent their county and country and locally, the clubs are very well represented.

Tara's parents Sinead Harding and Eamonn O'Gorman are both very proud of Tara and they are looking forward to what the weekend will bring, as it will carve out a milestone in Tara's sporting career.

"We're absolutely over the moon, she has come such a long way. She's always been sporty and has been playing soccer with the boys since she was younger, but got back into it in 2011," her mother said. 

She added that St Fanahan's College with their strong culture of sport have been very supportive and Tara's brother Jamie also plays GAA for Kildorrery, as well as playing rugby and soccer - so sporting prowess is in the blood.

Tara is one of just four players from Munster on the Republic of Ireland team, she is joined by fellow Corkonian Danielle Burke (Passage AFC), Chloe Connolly (Nenagh AFC) and Tara Mannix (Regional Utd) and she herself plays with Douglas Hall in Cork.

This weekend, her family and friends will be rallying around her and will travel up to Dublin to see her play for Ireland.

* See The Avondhu next week for pictures and a comprehensive interview with Tara and her family about the experience of playing for Ireland at such a young age.

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