Women’s Under 19’s Fall to Italy in Rome
Women’s Under-19 International Friendly
ITALY 1 v 0 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 19’s side failed to recover from conceding a goal mid-way through the first half as they suffered defeat to Italy in Rome today.
Sue Ronan’s side are taking on the Italians in two friendly matches this week and only experiences like this can prepare them for what awaits when they face France, Portugal and Holland in the UEFA Elite stage qualifiers to be played in April.
The hosts completely dominated the game in the first half and having opened the scoring on 22 minutes, Ireland almost let in a second only for goalkeeper Lynn Dowling to produce a top-class save after the Italy striker broke free on goal and fired a goal-bound shot.
Ireland had the benefit of the strong breeze in the second half and had the larger share of possession. Aine O’Gorman, Noelle Murray and substitute Stephanie Roche all got on the end of scoring chances but they didn’t trouble the home ‘keeper.
“We didn’t start the game well and Italy could have been further ahead at half-time,” said Ireland manager Sue Ronan. “Things improved for us after half-time but we tended to over-play the ball instead of getting shots on goal. This was a useful exercise and we’ll learn a bit more about our players in the second game on Thursday.”
Women’s Under 19 International Friendly
THURSDAY 15th FEBRUARY
ITALY V REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
CENTRE SPORTIVO LA BORGHESIANA
(10.30hrs LOCAL TIME)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM:
Lynn Dowling (Raheny)
Meabh De Burca (Salthill Devon)
Seana Cooke (Raheny)
Grace Murray (Dundalk)
Susan Hackett (Stella Maris)
Jennifer Critchley (Lifford)
Lyn-Marie Grant (Lifford)
Diane Caldwell (Raheny)
Christina Byrne (Raheny)
Noelle Murray (Raheny)
Aine O’Gorman (Stella Maris)
SUBS:
Elaine Murray (Raheny United) for Caldwell (46 mins)
Leona Archibald (Mullingar United) for De Burca (60 mins)
Stephanie Roche (Stella Maris) for Critchley (68 mins)
Mary Barrett (Douglas Hall) for Cooke (89 mins). |
