Republic of Ireland 3-0 Faroe Islands
The Republic of Ireland Under-17 Women’s team are guaranteed a top-two finish in their UEFA Championship first qualifying group after winning their match in a row in Turkey on Monday.
Goals by Rosie Maguire (2) and Dora Gorman gave Ireland a fully deserved victory.
The win against the Faroes followed swiftly on the back of Saturday’s 2-1 win against Turkey and put them level on six points with alongside Holland after two games points in the group.
Thursday’s meeting between the Dutch and Ireland will determine which one of the nations wins the group and grabs the automatic qualifying place into the Elite round.
Holland are ahead of Ireland on goal difference, meaning Noel King’s side must secure full points to top the table.
Second place for Ireland could suffice for the Irish to advance into the next round as one of the best runner-up across the groups.
Ireland took the lead inside two minutes as Dora Gorman was on hand to fire home her second goal in as many matches.
Stella Maris striker Rosie Maguire was the star player for Ireland from then on with two excellent finishes on 18 minutes and 37 minutes to to put the Irish in an unassailable lead at the break.
Ireland could have won by more had they not wasted some glorious chances in the second half but manager Noel King was pleased with the performance.
King said: “The early goal gave us a great start and we were comfortable enough from that point onwards.
In the end, we night have scored plenty more but we’re glad to have six points in the bag at this stage.
“We can justifiably look forward with confidence to the Holland game. They are a talented side, very well-organised, and we’ll have to be at our best to get the win which would put us through to the next round as group winner.”
Republic of Ireland:
Ashling Dyer - Drogheda Utd
Katherine Flood - Dundalk WFC
Ciara Grant - Kilmacrennan Celtic
Dora Gorman - Salthill Devon
Kirsty Keogh - St Catherines
Maria Delahunty- Benfica
Niamh McLaughlin - Greencastle FC
Megan Campbell - Drogheda Utd
Rosie Maguire - Stella Maris
Rebecca Walsh - Salthill Devon
Tanya Kennedy - Finn Valey
Substiutes:
Yvonne Cahill - Lakewood Ath for Grant (half-time)
Joanna Byrne - Eureka Kells for Kennedy (half-time)
Ciara O'Brien - Tramore AFC for Gorman ( 60 mins). |
