IRELAND HAVE earned their highest-ever finish in the Cyprus Cup despite suffering a 2-0 loss at the AEK Arena in Larnaca this afternoon.
An encouraging start to life under new head coach Colin Bell saw the Girls in Green pick up two wins and a draw over the past week to top Group C.
The format of the 12-nation tournament pitted the winners of Group A (Switzerland) and B (South Korea) against each other in the final, while the top team in Group C faced the best runner-up from the other two groups in a 3/4 place play-off.
That meant Ireland met North Korea, who had beaten Italy and Belgium either side of a loss to the Swiss.
Bell made two changes to the team that beat Wales 1-0 on Monday, with Florida State University’s Meagan Connolly coming in for Sophie Perry and Shelbourne striker Leanne Kiernan replacing Claire O’Riordan.
After a scoreless first half, the side ranked tenth in the world (24 places ahead of Ireland) scored two unanswered goals.
Katie McCabe shot over from 20 yards and Stephanie Roche’s free-kick was saved, before Wi Jong Sim found the top corner on 73 minutes. Kim Ryu Song then hit a superb 30-yard effort with five minutes on the clock.
“It’s a difficult result to take, we should have got something out of the game,” said Bell.
“We were always going to have to be defensive against a side who play the way they do but we did that brilliantly for 75 minutes. Both goals are preventable and the players know that.
We can do better and even though, we’ve had a good tournament, I know the players can do more as we can continue to work with each other in the future.
“Once again, the players have put in a fantastic effort, like they have all week and the players can be really proud of what they’ve achieved as they’ve represented their country brilliantly this week.
“It gives me great hope for the future that the longer we work together, the more we can push this team forward to some real success.”
Ireland’s next fixture is a friendly at home to Slovakia on 10 April.
Ireland: Byrne; O’Gorman (Berrill 90), Caldwell, Quinn, Scott; O’Sullivan (Murray 90), Duggan; Connolly, Roche (Shine 90), McCabe; Kiernan (Littlejohn 85).
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When a national team is playing the national broadcaster should be just allowed show the match without having to fight for the rights and/or pay out millions.
@Jason Ebbs: a scam to try and get an increase in the tv licence RTE and its licence fee is of another age shut it down a complete con
@Richard Russell: not that I’m justifying it, but there has not been licence increase since 2008. Plus it’s not going to increase this year because if there is an increase it happens in the budget.
@Jason Ebbs: they are showing it – this article is incorrect
What’s the point of a national broadcaster if they can’t show their national teams of major sporting events?
Telly bingo will be next !
Sky’s coverage is way better. End of
@Keith ☘️: it’s a no brainer with dodgy box readily available
@Keith ☘️: Sky sucks!
@Keith ☘️: that not the point and I’m not sure it’s true anyway. The point is the national broadcaster should show national games particularly ones of such importantance so everyone has the opportunity to watch it.
First the 6 nations now this…just scrap the place!!! Money pit!!!
Oh oh
They will asking for an higher licence fee.
Is anybody else going off the boys in green….I’m not even that bothered if we qualify
Probably be humiliated in the finals playing ape_man football…
Lads, what’s the problem? Find a cafe, use the wiki, and go onto the sky channel on Mobdro. Either way, it’s free.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: a cafe? To watch the game? I’d say you are a bundle of laughs
@Conor Alexander Lynott: Nothing like watching the match in Starbucks, the atmosphere is electric.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: besides going to a cafe to watch a game, mobdro is as useful as a waterproof teabag.
@Eric Gaffney: that got a good laugh out of me.
@Mel Roberts: A big group. big scree with Chromecast, pizza and a load of chocolate fudge cake and soft fizzy drinks, mot to mention coffee
for afterwards?I would have thought it would have been great craic with all the caffeine floating around, but each to their own All possible with a little negotiation beforehand. Gotta think outside the box, Rob.
@King B Probably useless for you because you have an Iphone. Works just fine on android
@Conor Alexander Lynott: aye sounds fun alright if you are a 14 year old girl!
@Mel Roberts: I’ll make sure Guiness include that line in their Guiness Clear ad. Nice innovation, son.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: is Friday, Friday gotta get down on Friday.
I am beginning to hate sports and sky. Fcuk you sky
€160 a year for a TV license means isn’t free to air for the viewer.
They have €50million to play with. They don’t have to do much fighting.
This article is incorrect – RTE will be showing the playoffs & the Slovakia gamme
Remember me da sayin in the late 90’s..” bbc show no England football anymore sky have the lot it’s a disgrace Ireland would never let that happen to Irish games” I replied “If sky buy the rights they’ll lose them” His reply. “no chance ever” Ok then…
Genius. Pay a fortune for matches that will probably be called off.