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10.05.2014 at 15:00 Attendance:
Ireland 0 - 2 Basque Country
Referee: Friendly / NOT A FULL INTERNATIONAL-match

Goalscorers
None. None
Opening squads
Substitutes
Substitutions
None. None
Yellow cards
None. None
Red cards
None. None
Other statistics
0 Shots 0
0 Shots on goal 0
0 Offsides 0
0 Corner kicks 0
0 Free kicks 0
0 Penalties 0
Match report | Preview
Not considered as a full international


A young and inexperienced Ireland XI lost 2-0 today to a Basque Country side containing seven Spanish internationals at the Garmendipe Stadium in Azpeitia, a town 16 miles south of San Sebastian.

Two first half-goals left the home side comfortably ahead at half-time but the introduction of Niamh Fahey at half-time made a huge difference to the Irish midfield and her 30 minute cameo appearance, as she continues her comeback from a cruciate knee injury, was one of the highlights for Women’s National Team manager Sue Ronan

“Niamh certainly made a difference when she came on and hopefully it won’t be too long before she is ready for competitive international football. She looked great and had a tremendous impact on the game in the half-hour she was on the pitch,” said Ronan who was pleased with the exercise.

“It was a tremendous occasion and we were treated very well by our hosts. There was a crowd of around 1,500 at the game and it went out live on the regional television stations. It was a tremendous experience for the girls and one they will remember for a long time to come.”

For Rona the game was an opportunity to look at some of the players on the fringes of the squad as well as a few of the U19 squad who have qualified for the UEFA European U19 Championships.

“It was a great opportunity to look at the lot of players and I learnt a lot. I have a better idea now of who is capable of stepping up to the senior team. I also tried a few things with some of the more experienced players and that was very revealing also.”

Goalkeeper Eve Badana had a busy first half as the Basques, who has most of the possession, tested her on a few occasions. The first goal came after a mix-up in the Irish defence and Badana has no chance from the long-range strike which flew to the net. The second goal came close the half-time. Ireland were a lot tighter in the second half and Grace Maloney, who replaced Badana at the break, made one excellent save during this period.

Ireland’s best chance of the game came in the first half when a move started by Badana finished with Sarah Rowe teeing up Aine O’Gorman for a cross that Stephanie Roche fired narrowly wide.

Ireland XI: Eve Badana (Grace Maloney, Aine O’Gorman, Yvonne Tracy (capt), Karen Duggan, Ciara McCormack (Savannah McCarthy), Rachel Graham (Niamh Fahey, Lauren Dwyer), Emma Beckett, Emma (Hansberry (Aileen Gilroy), Sarah Rowe (Noelle Murray), Julie Ann Russell (Megan Connolly). Stephanie Roche
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