IRELAND’S U17 WOMEN’S team ended their European Championships campaign with a hard-earned 0-0 draw against the Netherlands today.
With Dave Bell’s side going into the game having no chance of progressing from their group after consecutive losses against England and Norway, the best they could hope for was a positive performance. And the Irish team duly delivered in that regard, ending the tournament with a creditable draw against the Group B winners.
The Irish had the better chances over the course of the match, though goalkeeper Rachael Kelly — who was playing in her first game of the tournament — pulled off a number of impressive saves, as their opponents rallied in the dying minutes.
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Holland’s youngsters by no means had it all their own way, however. Amid heavy rain at the Domazlice Stadium in the Czech Republic, 14-year old Shelbourne Ladies starlet Jessica Ziu saw her shot go narrowly wide in the 23rd minute, as Ireland threatened to take a surprise lead.
Galway WFC defender Sadhbh Doyle also went close, forcing a good save from the opposition goalkeeper, while Peamount forward Carla McManus regularly caused the Dutch backline problems with her pace in attack.
Ireland travel home tomorrow with plenty of positives to take despite finishing bottom of their group. Speaking after today’s match, Bell paid tribute to his side.
“I’m delighted for the players,” he said. “They’ve been brilliant throughout the whole tournament and really improved, so for them to earn a point against the group winners is great.
We had a number of chances, which could have seen us win the game, but in the end, I think we should be happy with the point and Rachael (Kelly) has done brilliantly in goal to make sure we kept that clean sheet.
“It is a really young group, the youngest at the tournament, so the players will take on this experience and continue to improve. It’s been great exposure for the players and a major step on their international football journey.”
Ireland's youngsters bow out of European Championships with creditable draw
IRELAND’S U17 WOMEN’S team ended their European Championships campaign with a hard-earned 0-0 draw against the Netherlands today.
With Dave Bell’s side going into the game having no chance of progressing from their group after consecutive losses against England and Norway, the best they could hope for was a positive performance. And the Irish team duly delivered in that regard, ending the tournament with a creditable draw against the Group B winners.
The Irish had the better chances over the course of the match, though goalkeeper Rachael Kelly — who was playing in her first game of the tournament — pulled off a number of impressive saves, as their opponents rallied in the dying minutes.
Holland’s youngsters by no means had it all their own way, however. Amid heavy rain at the Domazlice Stadium in the Czech Republic, 14-year old Shelbourne Ladies starlet Jessica Ziu saw her shot go narrowly wide in the 23rd minute, as Ireland threatened to take a surprise lead.
Galway WFC defender Sadhbh Doyle also went close, forcing a good save from the opposition goalkeeper, while Peamount forward Carla McManus regularly caused the Dutch backline problems with her pace in attack.
Ireland travel home tomorrow with plenty of positives to take despite finishing bottom of their group. Speaking after today’s match, Bell paid tribute to his side.
“I’m delighted for the players,” he said. “They’ve been brilliant throughout the whole tournament and really improved, so for them to earn a point against the group winners is great.
“It is a really young group, the youngest at the tournament, so the players will take on this experience and continue to improve. It’s been great exposure for the players and a major step on their international football journey.”
Republic of Ireland WU17 side v Netherlands: 16 Rachael Kelly, 3 Lauryn Grier, 5 Sadhbh Doyle, 6 Tyler Toland, 8 Tiegan Ruddy (C), 9 Alannah McEvoy, 10 Megan Mackey, 11 Heather Payne, 12 Doireann Fahey, 15 Carla McManus (17 Isibeal Atkinson 68’), 18 Jessica Ziu.
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