UEFA Womens U19 Championships first phase qualifier
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Finland
Karen Duggan 7 Tolvanen 64 mins
Shelby Murphy 23 Meller 72
Julieanne Russell 90+2
The Republic of Ireland Womens Under-19 side defeated Finland in Samobor today (Thursday) to complete their UEFA Championship first qualifying phase as group winners with maximum points from their three games.
Ireland were already assured of progression into the Elite qualifying phase by virtue of their wins over mini-group hosts Croatia (3-0) and Faroe Islands (7-0) in their opening pair of games and a draw in todays game would have been sufficient for them to top the group.
But, despite losing a two-goal lead to Finland in the second half, a late winner by Julieanne Russell claimed Sue Ronans side a fantastic 3-2 victory.
They now advance to the next phase of the qualifying series with a strong chance of being classified as a first seed in the draw.
Ireland manager Sue Ronan praised her players efforts for their achievement.
She said: "We knew coming to Croatia that this was a difficult group and we have finished top with a 100 per cent record. Our squad were magnificent from start to finish, especially today against Finland when we dug deep to beat a side who, like us, had beaten Croatia and the Faroe Islands in their previous two matches.
"The players had to withstand playing in very hot temperatures for the three games and put in a superb effort. Several of the squad members played every minute of the matches over the five days."
Ireland looked well on their way to victory when they led two-nil by the midway point of the first half.
Defender Karen Duggan grabbed the lead goal on seven minutes when she glanced a header to the net by connecting with Eilish Wards curling free-kick.
Shelby Murphy netted her fourth goal in three matches after 23 minutes as she concluded one of her trademark incisive dribbles from the wing with a low drive inside the near post.
Finland gave themselves some hope on 64 minutes through Tolvanens goal to half the arrears and, eight minutes later, Meller seized upon a defensive mix-up to equalise.
Both sides created openings in the final quarter hour but the final intervention came from Julieanne Russell, who broke into the penalty area two minutes into stoppage time and tucked her shot past Kankaanpää in the Finland goal for the decisive goal.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Dyer; Walsh, Duggan, Zoe Murphy, Ward; Doherty, Bilson, Shelby Murphy, Russell; O Reilly, Kearney.
Substitutions: Campbell for Shelby Murphy (h/t), Nolan for O Reilly (57 mins), Cronin for Ward (90 mins)
UEFA Womens U19 Championship, first qualifying phase results:
19 September 2009
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Croatia
Sports Centre, Samobor (CRO)
21 September 2009
Republic of Ireland 7-0 Faroe Islands
SRC Velika Gorika, Velika Gorica (CRO)
24 September 2009
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Finland
Sports Centre, Samobor (CRO). |
