European Qualifier
06.08.2013 at 11:00 - Trud Stadion - Ulyanovsk
REPUBLIC of Ireland Womens U17 head coach Dave Connell is expecting a tough test in tomorrows opening UEFA Championships Preliminary qualifying round clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ulyanovsk, Russia (11.00am Irish).
The Irish are in a testing qualifying group which also includes Turkey and the hosts Russia but have a good record at this age group and Connell is looking for a solid start in this encounter.
“We do not know a lot about Bosnia but they won two of their three games last year so we know they will not be walkovers by any means,” he said.
“We are expecting a tough game but we want a good start so it is up to us to perform.”
Irelands journey to Ulyanovsk was akin to an expedition for Connells side. They had three flights to Russia then faced a 300 kilometre journey from Kazan to the host city but the Irish boss feels his troops have settled in now.
“It was a nightmare in terms of travel. We had three flights and then a four-hour bus journey but we anticipated that and came a day early,” he said.
“The girls have not let it affect them. Everybody has trained well. Weather has been rough with thunder storms for the past two days and it will be very hot when we play the game.”
The Irish are in good form having played in an Under-16 tournament in Dublin in May then the same group of players beat Northern Ireland in two games at the Carrickfergus Cup last month.
“The U16 competition helped immensely. It was more or less this squad. All of them were involved in Carrickfergus so it has been good preparation. They look sharp and fit,” he said.
“We have plenty of players who have been through this level before. Savannah McCarthy and Meagan Connolly have been captain and vice-captain for the last two seasons. Keeva Keenan played last year and was player of the tournament in Carrickfergus. We have a lot of experience at this level and we will be looking to those players to show leadership this week.”
Republic of Ireland Womens U17 squad:
Brooke Dunne (Peamount United)
Amanda Mc Quillan (Shelbourne FC)
Savannah McCarthy (Listowel Celtic)
Meagan Connolly (College Corinthians)
Keeva Keenan (Shelbourne FC)
Jamie Finn (Shelbourne FC)
Courtney Higgins (Shelbourne FC)
Roma McLaughlin (Greencastle FC)
Sarah Jane McDonald (Greencastle FC)
Jessica Gargan (Peamount United)
Evelyn Daly (Lakewood FC)
Sarah Connolly (St Marys FC)
Hayley Nolan (Peamount United)
Jenny Clifford (Evergreen FC)
Eleanor Stafford (Salthill Devon)
Erin Best (Peamount United)
Lauren Kealy (Peamount United)
Megan Lynch (Shelbourne FC)
Fixtures
Tuesday, August 6
UEFA Womens U17 Championships Qualifying Round Group 4
Republic of Ireland v Bosnia Herzegovina, Trud Stadium, Ulyanovsk (RUS) (11.00am Irish).
Thursday, August 8
UEFA Womens U17 Championship Qualifying Round Group 4
Republic of Ireland v Turkey, Trud Stadium, Ulyanovsk (RUS) (11.00am Irish).
Sunday, August 11
UEFA Womens U17 Championships Qualifying Round Group 4
Russia v Republic of Ireland, Trud Stadium, Ulyanovsk (RUS) (4.00pm Irish).
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