Republic of Ireland 0 - 2 Switzerland
The Republic of Ireland can count themselves unlucky to have lost to Switzerland in the women’s U19 friendly match Home Farm FC, Whitehall.
Switzerland struck a goal midway through each half just when it seemed Ireland would press home their dominance by breaching the visitors’ goal.
Manager Sue Ronan’s side began the game well and could have gone in front inside the first quarter of hour when senior international Aine O’Gorman was put through on goal but her shot was hit straight at the Swiss goalkeeper.
Ireland would pay for that miss on 22 minutes when a corner which was not properly cleared fell invitingly on the edge of the penalty area to a Swiss attacker who fired home through a crowded goal-mouth.
Diane Caldwell was presented with an opportunity to equalise shortly afterwards only to see her close-range shot lack the required power to trouble the goalkeeper.
Switzerland seized on some sloppy defending by the Irish with 20 minutes left to score the second goal and put the match beyond the hosts as a contest.
Ireland manager Sue Ronan was disappointed for her players: “They deserved to get something out of the game but the Swiss were very clever in breaking away from our attacks.
“I was satisfied with the level of performance from our team. Some of the younger players came in for the first time tonight and did well so from that aspect, I’m extremely pleased.”
Ireland are preparing for next month’s second, elite qualifying stage of the UEFA Championship.
Ireland will play Portugal, Netherlands and mini-group hosts France from 9 -14 April with only the group winner guaranteed to go through to this summer’s Under-19 European Championship Finals.
The two teams will play each other again on Thursday, also at Whitehall, in the second fixture of the double-header (kick-off 7pm).
IRELAND TEAM:
NIAMH REID-BURKE ST.MOCHTAS
ELAINE MURRAY RAHENY UNITED
SUSAN HACKETT STELLA MARIS
LOUISE QUINN PEAMOUNT UNITED
GRACE MURRAY DUNDALK CITY WFC
JENNIFER CRITCHLEY LIFFORD
MEABH DE BURCA SALTHILL DEVON
DIANE CALDWELL HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
AINE O’GORMAN STELLA MARRIS
NOELLE MURRAY RAHENY UNITED
STEPHANIE ROCHE STELLA MARIS
SUBS:
KERIE RYAN, RAHENY UNITED, FOR CRITCHLEY (10 mins)
GILLIAN MCDONALD, DUNDALK UNITED WFC, FOR ROCHE (60 mins)
CHRISTINA BYRNE, RAHENY UNITED, FOR RYAN (60 mins) |
