U19 Womens UEFA 2nd (Elite) qualifying phase match Germany 3 Republic of Ireland 0 The Republic of Ireland U19 women’s team finished up their qualifying series in Slovenia with a stubborn resistance to the favourites, World Champions, Germany. Germany had beaten Slovenia 7-0 and Scotland 8-0 in their two previous two games but were held to 1-0 by a brave Republic side until the final stages of the match. Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Scotland was a hammer-blow to the prospects of Sue Ronan's Irish side advancing through the group but they gave it their all against the stylish Germans. Things might have become interesting when, after the group winners took the lead mid-way through the first half, Irish striker Susan Donovan rattled the crossbar with a shot as the Irish came within inches of finding an equaliser. The game was played in driving rain and that contributed to Germany's second goal late on when a slip by an Irish defender allowed the striker to capitalise with a second goal. Germany made it 3-0 in the dying minutes. Irish manager Sue Ronan was delighted with the effort put in by her players: "The girls were colossal in the match against probably the best team in the World. “We knew going into the match that we wanted to finished the qualifying campaign on a good note and we did, although the losing margin was not a true reflection of the game." Ireland won their opening game of the group against hosts Slovenia 2-0 on Tuesday but were left stunned two days later when Scotland punished them for missing a series of chances. Ronan made a point of expressing her thanks to her squad of players and staff as well as the 70-strong group of supporters that cheered the squad on over the course of the week. "We were the best supported nation of the four teams, even the host country." Ireland: Aine Genockey (UCD), Seana Cooke (Raheny Utd), Lisa Toohey (Aisling Annacotty), Eilis Nevin (Dundalk), Meabh De Burca (Salthill Devon), Niamh Fahey (Salthill Devon), Diane Caldwell (Raheny Utd), Aine O’Gorman (Stella Maris), Sarah McGrath (Arsenal), Nicola Sinnott (UCD), Susan Donovan (Ballincollig). SUBS: Stephanie Roche (Stella Maris) and Noelle Murray (St. Anthony’s) for Donovan and O'Gorman (65 mins), Bronagh Sheridan (DCU) for Sinnott (75 mins).
Teams Pld W D L GF GA Pts Germany 3 3 0 0 18 0 9 Scotland 3 2 0 1 5 7 6 Republic of Ireland 3 1 0 2 2 5 3 Slovenia 3 0 0 3 0 13 0 |