Republic of Ireland 0 -2 Holland
The Republic of Ireland Under-17 Women’s may still go through to the Elite phase of qualification series despite their loss to Holland on Thursday in their final game of the UEFA Championship qualifying first stage. Bronagh Kerins again starred and had what looked like a good goal disallowed.
The Dutch scored twice in the second half to claim the points and take top spot in the group with a 100 per cent record from their three matches.
Noel King’s Ireland were guaranteed to finish at least second heading into today’s encounter following their wins over mini-group hosts Turkey and Faroe Islands during the previous five days.
The Irish needed victory to edge the Dutch out for the one available automatic qualifying place. They must now await the completion of the two remaining groups before they discover whether they secure one of the six berths for best runners-up across the ten qualifying pools.
Ireland started the game on the front foot and gave the Holland defence plenty to think about in the opening half.
Dora Gorman was close to giving Ireland the lead but was unable to get a decent connection on her shot while Kirsty Keogh was unlucky with her effort from the edge of the box.
It was the same pattern in the second half as Ireland continued to dominate but Holland grabbed the lead goal against the run of play.
The Irish responded magnificently and thought they had scored through Bronagh Kerins’ long-range effort but the referee decided against allowing the goal for an apparent infringement in the build-up.
Gorman had a penalty appeal turned down and Orla Devaney saw her shot blocked on the line as Ireland pressed for an equaliser.
Unfortunately, it was Holland who hit the back of the net and their second goal with with 15 minutes remaining killed off Ireland’s prospects of saving the tie.
Ireland manager Noel King said: “This was our best performance of the season and we were desperately unlucky to lose.
“We coped well with the hot weather conditions and we right in the game throughout. I’m very proud of the players. On other days, those chances would have gone but not today.
“Now, we must wait to see if we get through as a second-placed team. There is a lot of talent in this squad and the fact that seven of today’s starting team are eligible again for next season shows that there is plenty of potential there.”
Republic of Ireland:
Sinead Crotty - Connecticut Football Club (CFC) United
Bronagh Kerins - Strand Celtic
Tanya Kennedy - Finn Valley
Becky Walsh - Salthill Devon
Niamh McLaughlin - Greencastle FC
Megan Campbell - Drogheda Utd
Ciara Grant - Kilmacrennan Celtic
Ciara O'Brien - Tramore AFC
Dora Gorman - Salthill Devon
Kirsty Keogh - St Catherines
Orla Devaney - Ballina Town
Substitutions:
Rosanne Maguire - Stella Maris for Devaney (65 mins)
Maria Delahunty- Benfica for O’Brien (65 mins
Bronagh turned in another fine performance in defence and played the full ninety minutes. It was a great achievement for Bronagh to play in the two main games during the qualifying tournament. |