Republic of Ireland 7 Serbia 0 O
Goals from Gillian McDonnell, Amanda Parkes, Julieann Russell, Stephanie Roche, Jadine Madden and Noelle Murray (2) all but ended Serbia’s chances of progressing to the eight nation tournament in France this summer.
The Irish started the game strongly and they only had to wait until the fourth minute to open the scoring, Stephanie Roche played a looping ball into the penalty area to Dundalk team-mate, Gillian McDonnell who beat the offside trap and headed past Drezga in Serbia’s goal.
The Republic of Ireland doubled their advantage after 15 minutes, Grace Murray drifted in a freekick from the left wing and Amanda Parkes was well positioned in the six-yard box to direct her powerful header into the net.
Serbia were having problems dealing with the quality of crossing into their box and they were punished again after 32 minutes, Grace Murray swung her cross from the left wing and Salthill Devon starlet, Julieann Russell was at hand to direct her header into the net at the far post.
Grace Murray once again turned provider with her hat-trick of assists, she took a free-kick from the right and Stephanie Roche out-muscled two defenders as her looping header found its way over the goal line.
The Irish started the second half with the same intensity as the first and Irish substitute, Jadine Madden scored her first goal of the campaign in a well worked move. Grace Murray drifted in a fine corner from the left hand side and Arsenal attacker, Jadine Madden rose highest and she powered her header past the helpless keeper.
With goal difference being a massive factor in clinching a place in the European Championships, Susan Ronan pushed her players forward in search of goals. Substitute, Noelle Murray made an instant impact on the game within two minutes, Grace Murray once again played a precise ball from the left wing and Noelle Murray controlled the ball in the box, turned her marker and blasted the ball into the bottom left corner.
The Irish wrapped up the scoring in the final minute of the game, Jadine Madden made a powerful burst down the right and her cross found Noelle Murray inside the box and she coolly controlled the ball and slotted it into the back of the net.
The Irish now face Spain in their final elite phase qualifier fixture to be played next Tuesday at the Ciudad del Futbol in Madrid. With Spain recording a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, the Irish will have to defeat the Spanish if they are to qualify for their first ever final tournament appearance.
Republic of Ireland
Niamh Reid Burke - Raheny United
Caitriona McGilp - Cabinteely FC
Grace Murray - Dundalk City WFC
Karen Duggen - Piltown
Susan Hacket - Stella Maris
Lynn Marie Grant - Lifford
Amanda Parkes - Wilton United
Julie Ann Russell - Salthill Devon
Stephanie Roche - Dundalk City WFC
Gillian McDonnell - Dundalk City WFC
Amy Ryan - Stella Maris
Substitutes
Lynn Bradley - Raheny Untied
Louise Quinn - Peamount
Rachel Graham - Raheny United (on for Parkes, 55 mins)
Anna McCormack - Cam Celtic
Aine O Gorman - Stella Maris
Noelle Murray - Raheny United (on for Russell, 72 mins)
Jadine Madden - Arsenal (on for Ryan, 45 mins)
Women’s Under 19 UEFA Championship Elite Qualifying Phase - Fixtures
Thursday, April 24th:
Republic of Ireland 0-2 the Netherlands
Kick-off: 16.00 hrs (local time)
Saturday, April 26th:
Republic of Ireland 7-0 Serbia
Kick-off: 16.00 hrs (local time)
Tuesday, April 29th:
Spain v Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: 12.00 hrs (local time) |
