This week the Republic of Ireland women's under 17 side, managed by Noel King, are in Poland where they are competing with Italy, Russia and hosts, Poland for a four nations international tournament.
Ballina Town striker, Orla Devanney scored a hat-trick in tonight's opening game against Poland which finished 3-1.
The Irish proved too strong for their Polish hosts and they stunned their opponents early on as Devanney scored in only the second minute. Poland battled back strongly and they were rewarded with an equaliser in the 9th minute.
Devanney all but sealed the win with another two goals in the 19th and 24th minute. Ballina's Orla Devanney claimed her second hat-trick in a month after she bagged three goals in a 7-1 victory against Northern Ireland in Mayo in July.
Noel King's side are using this four nations tournament as valuable preparation for the upcoming UEFA Championship qualifiers in October. The Irish have been given a tough draw and they will face the Netherlands, Turkey and the Faroe Islands with a place in the UEFA Championship, elite qualifying phase at stake.
Republic of Ireland team v Poland
Sinead Crotty - Connecticut Football Club
Megan Campbell - Drogheda Utd
Rebecca Walsh - Salthill Devon
Tanya Kennedy - Finn Valey
Ciara Grant - Kilmacrennan Celtic
Maria Harrington - Westport Utd
Naomi Carrol - Lifford
Orla Devanney - Ballina Town
Maria Delahunty - Benfica
Kirsty Keogh - St Catherines
Bronagh Kerins - Strand Celtic
Subs
Ciara O'Brien - Tramore AFC (on for Keogh, 28 mins)
Rachel Mullins - Wilton Utd
Joanna Byrne - Eureka Kells (on for Harrington, 50 mins)
Katherine Flood - Dundalk WFC
Rosanne Maguire - Stella Maris (on for Devanney, 63 mins)
Yvonne Cahill - Lakewood Ath (on for Delahunty 63 mins)
Niamh McLaughlin - Greencastle FC (on for Carroll, HT)
Fixtures
Thursday, August 21st
Republic of Ireland v Russia
Kick-off 4pm (local time)
Saturday, August 23rd
Italy v Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: 11am (local time) |
