European Championship Qualifier
21.09.2013 at 15:00 - Dalymount Park
THE REPUBLIC of Ireland Women's U19 side will commence their UEFA Women's U19 Championships qualifying campaign tomorrow when they host Kazakhstan at Dalymount Park (7.00pm).
The Irish begin their campaign against the Kazakhs then host the Greeks in Tallaght on Monday night (7.00pm) before the final group game against the Danes at Tolka Park next Thursday (5.00pm).
Ireland host Denmark, Greece and Kazakhstan in the First Qualifying Round Group Two with the top two progressing to the next phase. The finals tournament will take place in Norway next summer.
Head Coach Dave Connell knows some people will expect a comfortable Irish victory in this opener but he has warned his side against taking any opponent lightly.
"We want to get off to a good start. It's very important we have a good performance. I'd be happy with that - and a win obviously," he said.
"On occasion at this level you can get one-sided games and we're quietly optimistic we can play well but we won't take anybody lightly. I have wanred the players about this.
"People will look at the fact that U17s broke the underage scoring record against Bosnia but people should be aware that the Bosnians then only lost 1-0 in their next two games.
"If everything goes according to plan we should win. It's about things clicking on the day. Our focus is 100 per cent on looking for a good start and three points."
Connell will give Lisa Casserly as long as possible to prove her fitness after suffering a neck injury and the Galway WFC player will do a fitness test before the team is confirmed.
"We're hoping for a decent crowd. There's even a bus coming from Donegal. Hopefully we get a decent crowd to get behind the girls. It's our first competitive game of the season and all support is appreciated," he said.
In recent friendly matches against Portugal, Ireland drew the first game 1-1 then lost a second fixture 1-0. He feels his side has benefited from those games.
"The Portugal; games were good tests. They were a good side. We'd have liked to have done more with this group but it's difficult. We've worked together since Monday and I think we've got good continuity to our training sessions," he added.
"The girls have worked hard and they've taken in a lot. We played Portugal without many sessions in advance. Katie McCabe and Ciara O'Connell didn't play in those games and they can be very influential for us."
Republic of Ireland Women's U19 squad:
Jillian Maloney (University of Georgia Bulldogs, USA)
Chelsea Noonnan (Douglas Hall FC)
Chloe Mustaki (Peamount United)
Emily Cahill (Peamount United)
Claire Shine (Raheny United)
Lisa Casserly (Galway WFC)
Ciara Rossiter (Wexford Youths Women's AFC)
Katie McCabe (Raheny United)
Shauna Newman (Raheny United)
Rachel Doyle (DLR Waves)
Ciara McNamara (Hollyhill Celtic FC)
Amy O'Connor (Wilton United)
Shannon Carson (Hollyhill Celtic FC)
Amber Barrett (Lagan Harps)
Aisling Frawley (Wexford Youths Women's AFC)
Gemma McGuinness (Greencastle FC)
Lauren Dwyer (Wexford Youths AFC)
Ciara O'Connell (Wilton United)
FIXTURES
UEFA Women's U19 Championships First Qualifying Round Group Two
Saturday, September 21
Denmark v Greece, Dalymount Park (1.00pm);
Republic of Ireland v Kazakhstan, Dalymount Park (7.00pm).
Monday, September 23
Denmark v Kazakhstan, Tallaght Stadium (1.00pm);
Greece v Republic of Ireland, Tallaght Stadium (7.00pm).
Thursday, September 26
Republic of Ireland v Denmark, Tolka Park (5.00pm);
Kazakhstan v Greece, Richmond Park (5.00pm).
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