Jersey focussed on Inter-Island Games success in Ynys Mon
Jersey's men and women head to Ynys Mon this weekend with high hopes of successful Inter-Island Games campaigns.
The tournament, featuring sides from around the world, has been set up as a spin-off of the biennial Island Games, as 2019 hosts Gibraltar were unable to stage football as part of their multi-sport event.
Jersey's women's team take on Isle of Man in their group opener on Sunday before facing Gibraltar on Tuesday, with the top two in the group making it through to the semi-finals.
"We feel confident and there's a buzz going around - this is a strong, together squad," said midfielder Holly Muirhead. "As a team we're ready and in terms of strength, personally, I feel that this is one of the strongest teams that we've had.
"Come the end of the tournament, if we do well in it, then I'm not going to be bothered how many minutes I play or where I play, as a squad we are so strong. It's a healthy competition [for places] for sure, and it brings that fight and makes people work harder."
Muirhead (Worthing FC) is one of three players based outside of the island, with goalkeeper Sara Luce (Southampton) and Megan Wood (Yeovil) also included in Chad Morris and Fiona MacKinnon-Fox's squad of 18. Grouville striker Sam Silva is a late addition to the travelling party.
On Monday night the men's squad took to the ring for a boxing session (Harry Curtis pictured below) to boost both team bonding and fitness ahead of the trip.
"It was a brilliant night and the boys worked incredibly hard," said manager Martin Cassidy.
Cassidy added: "Every man stood up, showed that they're not going to give up, and that's what we want from them.
"Hopefully this session will help us when we get to Ynys Mon, the players have done themselves proud tonight and this will be another step closer to winning. Some people were taken right out of their comfort zone but they gave it everything they had and they realised that when you're on the football pitch if you can have that effort and never give up for your team mate then you can go a long way."
Youngsters Luke Shirley and James Carr are among those who've been added to Cassidy's squad of 19 following the recent Jacksons International Trophy.
"I think there's a good feeling among the squad and we had that team bonding session on Monday which was a good laugh and brought everyone together," said Rozel Rovers forward George Glithero.
"We've got a couple of the younger lads (Shirley and Carr) coming in and there seems to be a good vibe amongst the lads. We're looking forward to going to this tournament and trying to win it.
"It's a really good opportunity for me to try and make my mark and make an impact when I get on the pitch. We performed well in the Jacksons International tournament, above expectations, so I think the team's going there to Ynys Mon to win it."
Jersey's men are in a group with Orkney, Western Isles and the hosts.
Men's Squad: Euan van der Vliet, Danny Birrell, Jay Giles, Harry Curtis, Jack Cannon, Joe Kilshaw, Fraser Barlow, James Queree, Adam Trotter, Zeljko Martinovic, Jonny Le Quesne, Ruben Mendes Pestana, Kamen Nafkha, Kieran Lester, Karl Hinds, Sol Solomon, Luke Shirley, James Carr and George Glithero.
Women's Squad: Sara Luce, Amy Tierney, Lauren Quemard, Sophie Botterill, Sylvia Spinola, Tiffany Sundby, Libby Barnett, Holly Muirhead, Natasha Keen, Anita Tavares, Abi Scandrett, Eve Watson, Daisy Jackson, Rosie Corbett, Jodie Botterill, Megan Wood, Ciara Giles and Sam Silva.
Fixtures
Sunday June 16th
Men v Orkney | Llangefni FC | 11.00 kick off
Women v Isle of Man | Gaerwen FC | 13.30 kick off
Monday June 17th
Men v Western Isles | Glantreath FC | 18.30 kick off
Tuesday June 18th
Women v Gibraltar | Glantreath FC | 18.30 kick off
Men v Ynys Mon | Llangefni FC | 19.30 kick off
Wednesday June 19th
Women’s semi-finals and placing game
Thursday June 20th
Men’s semi-finals and placing games
Friday June 21st
Finals and bronze-medal matches