DESPITE THEIR EURO 2017 dream practically coming to an end last week, the Ireland women’s team were clinical in their 9-0 demolition of Montenegro this evening.
Two hat-tricks from Stephanie Roche and Áine O’Gorman, along with goals from Megan Connolly, Louise Quinn and Fiona O’Sullivan, meant that Ireland matched their record victory in women’s football, which they achieved away to Malta in 2003.
Ireland were in control from the start at Tallaght Stadium, playing the ball around nicely and allowing Montenegro minimal possession.
After just 90 seconds of play, it was the home side who edged in front. Megan Connolly made no mistake in finding the net after Ines Obradović saved Stephanie Roche’s original attempt.
Áine O’Gorman caused problems throughout the game on the right wing, carrying the ball at pace and creating chances, delivering dangerous crosses which Montenegro struggled with. Meanwhile Ireland’s defence was solid, dealing with any potential attacks calmly.
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O’Gorman added her name to the scoresheet 11 minutes into the half with a well-taken effort from the edge of the penalty area. Montenegro kept in touch and were unlucky not to score themselves as Amisa Kuć got her head on the end of a corner, only to hit the crossbar.
Ireland centre-back Louise Quinn was another incoming threat for the Montenegro defence throughout the encounter, narrowly missing as she fancied her luck from 30 yards. Obradović managed to keep Montenegro in the game, saving Karen Duggan’s strike from close range, and also getting a hand to Connolly’s rebound.
Ireland were given the chance to make the scoreline 3-0 in the closing minutes of the half, as Montenegro conceded a free kick just outside the box. Roche stepped up to the challenge and curled the ball nicely into the net.
Sue Ronan introduced Arsenal’s Katie McCabe after the interval, followed soon after by Denise O’Sullivan, both of whom slotted in immediately, putting the Montenegro defence under further pressure.
Ireland's Sophie Perry puts Tamara Bojat of Montenegro under pressure. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland didn’t take their foot off the pedal despite being firmly in control, pushing on to create more chances and cause the visitors further heartbreak. O’Gorman secured a deserved hat-trick early in the second half, tapping in from close range and finding the back of the net with a superb effort from 20 yards.
Quinn put Ireland seven in front when she got on the end of a Julie Ann Russell corner and headed home. Roche slotted another past Obradović three minutes later as further mistakes in the Montenegro defence proved costly.
Just 90 seconds later, Roche joined O’Gorman with another hat-trick, as she got her head to a McCabe cross.
Emma Byrne was only troubled twice by the 70th minute, dealing comfortably with Sladana Bulatovic’s free kick.
Substitute Fiona O’Sullivan made it 9-0 seven minutes from full-time, as she got on the end of another faultless Russell cross.
With just one final Euro 2017 qualifier to fulfill, Ireland break now until they face Portugal in September.
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Hat-tricks for Stephanie Roche and Áine O'Gorman as Ireland put 9 past Montenegro
Ireland 9
Montenegro 0
Emma Duffy reports from Tallaght Stadium
DESPITE THEIR EURO 2017 dream practically coming to an end last week, the Ireland women’s team were clinical in their 9-0 demolition of Montenegro this evening.
Two hat-tricks from Stephanie Roche and Áine O’Gorman, along with goals from Megan Connolly, Louise Quinn and Fiona O’Sullivan, meant that Ireland matched their record victory in women’s football, which they achieved away to Malta in 2003.
Ireland were in control from the start at Tallaght Stadium, playing the ball around nicely and allowing Montenegro minimal possession.
After just 90 seconds of play, it was the home side who edged in front. Megan Connolly made no mistake in finding the net after Ines Obradović saved Stephanie Roche’s original attempt.
Áine O’Gorman caused problems throughout the game on the right wing, carrying the ball at pace and creating chances, delivering dangerous crosses which Montenegro struggled with. Meanwhile Ireland’s defence was solid, dealing with any potential attacks calmly.
O’Gorman added her name to the scoresheet 11 minutes into the half with a well-taken effort from the edge of the penalty area. Montenegro kept in touch and were unlucky not to score themselves as Amisa Kuć got her head on the end of a corner, only to hit the crossbar.
Ireland centre-back Louise Quinn was another incoming threat for the Montenegro defence throughout the encounter, narrowly missing as she fancied her luck from 30 yards. Obradović managed to keep Montenegro in the game, saving Karen Duggan’s strike from close range, and also getting a hand to Connolly’s rebound.
Ireland were given the chance to make the scoreline 3-0 in the closing minutes of the half, as Montenegro conceded a free kick just outside the box. Roche stepped up to the challenge and curled the ball nicely into the net.
Sue Ronan introduced Arsenal’s Katie McCabe after the interval, followed soon after by Denise O’Sullivan, both of whom slotted in immediately, putting the Montenegro defence under further pressure.
Ireland didn’t take their foot off the pedal despite being firmly in control, pushing on to create more chances and cause the visitors further heartbreak. O’Gorman secured a deserved hat-trick early in the second half, tapping in from close range and finding the back of the net with a superb effort from 20 yards.
Quinn put Ireland seven in front when she got on the end of a Julie Ann Russell corner and headed home. Roche slotted another past Obradović three minutes later as further mistakes in the Montenegro defence proved costly.
Just 90 seconds later, Roche joined O’Gorman with another hat-trick, as she got her head to a McCabe cross.
Emma Byrne was only troubled twice by the 70th minute, dealing comfortably with Sladana Bulatovic’s free kick.
Substitute Fiona O’Sullivan made it 9-0 seven minutes from full-time, as she got on the end of another faultless Russell cross.
With just one final Euro 2017 qualifier to fulfill, Ireland break now until they face Portugal in September.
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