Republic of Ireland 3-0 Israel
The Republic of Ireland women’s under 19 side today (Friday) defeated a tricky Israel side 3-0 at the Nahariya Stadium in Haifa. A brace for Zoe Doherty and one for Gillian McDonnell ensures that Susan Ronan’s side advance to the elite qualifying phase but they face Iceland on Monday with the possibility of emerging as group 7 winners and a top seeded team in the next round.
The Irish, fresh from their 3-0 comprehensive victory over Greece on Wednesday were in outstanding form early on as they scored two goals within 13 minutes. The Israeli defence endured wave upon wave of attack from the kick-off and their defence was split wide open when Stella Maris striker, Amy Ryan applied a clever flick to allow Gillian McDonnell a clear run through on goal. Her effort however was pawed away by Alkukin in the Israeli goal. From the resultant corner, the Israeli defence failed to clear and the ball fell to Donegal starlet, Zoe Doherty who powered it into the back of the net.
The Irish doubled their advantage after 13 minutes from another corner. As Israel half cleared the danger, the ball was flicked back in to Doherty who applied the slightest touch to take the ball over the keeper and it nestled in the Israeli net.
With the Irish comfortably in control of the game at all times, they could have extended their lead on a number of occasions but for the Israeli defence and goalkeeper, Alkukin. Irish right back, Eilish Ward has a number of powerful long range shots on target but her efforts were unable to beat the keeper.
Israel were severely limited in their attacking opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. Irish defenders, Eilish Ward, Karen Duggan, Zoe Murphy and Louise Quinn were in outstanding form as they grabbed their second clean sheet of the tournament.
The Irish had to wait until the 81st minute to wrap up the scoring, Irish captain Louise Quinn unleashed a thunderous free kick from 30 yards, her effort was spilled by Alkukin in Israel’s goal and the ball fell to Dundalk’s Gillian McDonnell who blasted the ball into the roof of the net to cap a fine performance for the midfielder.
McDonnell almost grabbed her second late on as she picked up the ball 25 yards from her opponents goal and she effortlessly struck a powerful shot but she seen her effort clip the top of the post and go for a goal kick.
In today’s other UEFA Women’s under 19 championship, first qualifying phase fixture, Iceland came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory over Greece in Nazareth. That result now means that Iceland and the Republic of Ireland qualify for the elite qualifying phase but they will now meet on Monday to decide who advances from group 7 as winners with the possibility of a place in the next round as top seeds, in theory avoiding some of the big hitters in European women’s football.
The top two teams in each of the eleven sections of the UEFA Championship, 1st qualifying phase will qualify for the elite qualifying phase along with the third-placed side with the best record against the leading pair in their pool. Those 23 teams will be joined by top seeds Germany in November's draw for the second qualifying round draw, which will take place from 23-28 April 2009, with six groups providing seven finalists to join the hosts in Belarus.
UEFA Women’s Under 19 Championship fixtures -1st qualifying phase
Wednesday, 24th September
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Greece
Kick-off: 17.00 hrs (local time)
Friday, 26th September
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Israel
Kick-off: 16.00 hrs (local time)
Monday, 29th September
Republic of Ireland v Iceland
Kick-off: 11.00 hrs (local time)
Republic of Ireland
Niamh Reid Burke - Raheny United
Eilish Ward - Finnvalley
Karen Duggan - Piltown
Louise Quinn - Peamount
Zoe Murphy - Ballincollig
Zoe Doherty – Cardonagh
Julieanne Russell - Salthill Devon
Olivia Lyons - Lakewood Athletic
Niamh Mulcahy - Aisling Annacotty
Gillian McDonnell - Dundalk City WFC
Amy Ryan - Stella Maris
Substitutes
Sinead Crotty - Connecticut
Amanda Parkes - Wilton Utd. (on for Ryan, 64 mins)
Emer Flately – Salthill Devon
Jadine Madden - Arsenal FC (on for Lyons, 46 mins)
Catherine Cronin - Aisling Annacotty
Kirsty Keogh - Stella Maris (on for Doherty, 76 mins)
Ericka O’Sullivan - Wilton Utd.
Manager
Susan Ronan |
