Spain 3 Republic of Ireland 1
Spain were a goal up after 16 minutes but the Irish responded well after the break and Lifford’s Lynn Marie Grant scored an equaliser to give the Irish a lifeline with over 30 minutes remaining. As the Irish poured forward in attack, the Spaniards capitalised and scored two well worked goals late on.
The Republic of Ireland started the game with an attacking formation as they went in search of early goals. The Irish spent large periods of sustained pressure in their opponents half as the Spanish defended in numbers.
A powerful strike from Spanish attacker, Cristina Martinez put Spain in the driving seat after 16 minutes as Martinez controlled the ball from 20 yards out and she struck the ball powerfully past Irish keeper, Lynn Bradley into the top corner.
The Irish responded well and tested the Spanish goalkeeper, Rafols on a number of occasions. Raheny’s Noelle Murray almost scored with an audacious effort as she looped the ball towards goal from the left wing but her effort just clipped the top of the crossbar.
Noelle Murray was once again involved in the 35th minute when she stepped up to rifle a free-kick from 25 yards out but Rafols in the Spanish goal managed to tip it over the bar for a corner.
Susan Ronan’s side started the second half with great purpose and they were rewarded for their dominant play in the 54th minute when Lynn Marie Grant grabbed the equaliser. Dundalk’s Grace Murray swung a free-kick into the box from the half way line and the Waterford native made no mistake with her header as she powered it past the keeper.
As the game hung in the balance, both sides were playing fast attacking football. The Irish suffered heartbreak as a Spanish corner found its way to captain, Marta Torrejon on the near post and she hooked the ball past Bradley in the Irish goal in the 70th minute.
On the stroke of full-time, Spain added a third. Midfielder, Cristina Martinez made a darting run through the Irish midfield and she slipped through-ball to her name-sake, Patricia Martinez who shot low and hard into the bottom corner of the net.
In the other UEFA Championship, elite qualifying group 6 game, the Netherlands defeated Serbia by 7-1 but that result doesn’t stop Spain reaching the eight nation final this summer as they advance from group 6 with a maximum of nine points.
Republic of Ireland Lynn Bradley – Raheny Untied Caitriona McGilp - Cabinteely FC Grace Murray - Dundalk City WFC Louise Quinn – Peamount (C) Susan Hacket - Stella Maris Lynn Marie Grant - Lifford Aine O Gorman - Stella Maris Julie Ann Russell - Salthill Devon Stephanie Roche - Dundalk City WFC Noelle Murray - Raheny Gillian McDonnell - Dundalk City WFC
Substitutes Amanda Parkes - Wilton United (on for McDonnell, 52 mins) Amy Ryan - Stella Maris (on for Roche, 69 mins) Rachel Graham - Raheny United Anna McCormack - Cam Celtic Jadine Madden – Arsenal (on for Russell, 83 mins) Niamh Reid Burke - Raheny United Karen Duggen - Piltown
Women’s Under 19 UEFA Championship Elite Qualifying Phase - Fixtures
Thursday, April 24th: Republic of Ireland 0-2 the Netherlands Spain 7-0 Serbia
Saturday, April 26th: Republic of Ireland 7-0 Serbia Spain 1-0 the Netherlands
Tuesday, April 29th: Spain 3-1 Republic of Ireland Serbia 1-7 the Netherlands |