USA 4 – 0 Republic of Ireland
Randy Travis 20
Chioma Ubojagu 48
Amand Frisbie 70
Annie Sbeese 75
The Irish women’s U17 team suffered a cruel four goal defeat at the hands of the USA today (Tuesday) in the first of their three meetings this week in Portugal. The USA scored their first goal against the run of play mid-way through the first half and they secured the victory with three further goals in the second half.
The Irish started brightly putting the USA under immediate pressure early on as Ciara Grant, Dora Gorman and Aileen Gilroy all went close to putting Harry Kenny’s team in front at the early stages of the game. Despite the early dominance, it was the USA who scored first through the boot of Randy Travis. After some good work down the left wing, USA midfielder, Annie Sbeese created space down the left flank and she hooked it to Randy Travis who applied a neat finish inside the box, giving Grace Moloney no chance in Ireland’s goal after twenty minutes.
The Americans doubled their lead eight minutes after half time which was an unfortunate blow to Harry Kenny’s side. A mix-up in Ireland’s defence allowed Chioma Ubojagu to steal in between the defence and the Irish goalkeeper and she slotted into an empty net from close range.
The USA scored their third goal after 70 minutes when Amand Frisbie prodded home from close range following a corner and Annie Sbeese rounded off the scoring after 75 minutes.
Despite the four goal defeat, Irish manager, Harry Kenny was keen to point to the positives of the game, “I thought the team were superb tonight, they acquitted themselves very well against such top class opposition who are a year older than themselves. In the opening 15-20 minutes, we really took the game to the Americans and they were genuinely worried. It was obviously a blow to concede just after half time in the fashion that we did after such a promising start to the game but I have no doubt that the team will bounce back for the second meeting on Tuesday,” said the Irish boss.
Republic of Ireland Team v USA
Grace Moloney - Reading FC
Ciara Grant - Kilmacrennan Celtic
Ciara O'Brien - Tramore AFC
Tanya Kennedy - Finn Valley
Megan Campbell - St Francis
Niamh McLaughlin - Greencastle FC
Dora Gorman - Salthill Devon
Siobhan Killeen - Raheny Utd
Niamh Kearney - Stella Maris
Denise O'Sullivan - Wilton
Aileen Gilroy - Killala FC
Substitutes
Nicole Owens - Raheny Utd (on Aileen Gilroy)
Olivia Smartt - Stella Maris (on for Niamh McLaughlin)
Rebecca Kearney - Lakewood Ath (on for Denise O’Sullivan)
Stacie Donnelly - Reading FC (on for Ciara O’Brien)
Amanda Budden - Wilton Utd (on for Grace Moloney)
Avril Kilkelly - Westport Utd
Jessica Gleeson - Tramore F C |
