Kildare's Ruby Boland, captains her country at U16 international level

A fantastic competitive dual header of international games in Prague against the Czech Republic saw many new rising Ireland stars gain valuable game time and experience at the elite level of UEFA challenge games .

Tom Elms was delighted with how the u 16 Ireland team went about their first insights into elite soccer at international level, and he handed a big role to Naas student Ruby Boland as captain in their first game and Ava Kelly in the second.

The privilege of captaining your country as you  wear the green jersey is an unforgettable honour and the girls in green pushed the Czech Republic the whole way to the 89 minute with a 2-2 deadlock until the Czechs grabbed a late goal to take the win.

The girls in green can take great encouragement from their learnings about the intensity and physicality of international football.

Ruby Boland flew to Prague hours after winning the u17 FAI CUP in Athlone with her team Shamrock Rovers.

With three games to go in the league of Ireland and sitting top of a very competitive table it would be a great way to top off an extremely successful year for the talented center half, who has loved every minute of all the challenges so far.

Ruby now looks to drive on and  have a successful end to her first year playing elite football.