🎥The first goal of Colin Bell's reign and it is @StephanieRoche9 who pounces on the loose ball to finish high into the net. 1-0! 🇮🇪#IRLWNT pic.twitter.com/iSlApBO25b
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 1, 2017
FT: Czech Republic 0-2 #IRLWNT - @StephanieRoche9 and @Aineogor9 seal victory in Colin Bell's first game. Here is the final goal! 🇮🇪👏 pic.twitter.com/cIWoedlB3g
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 1, 2017
IRELAND BEAT CZECH Republic 2-0 in the Cyprus Cup today, as new manager Colin Bell’s tenure got off to a winning start.
Stephanie Roche and Aine O’Gorman were on target for the Irish side amid an impressive performance in Paralimni, in which Reading WFC defender Harriet Scott made her debut.
The opening goal came on 24 minutes, when Roche blasted home from close range after the Czech defence failed to clear a corner that resulted in a goalmouth scramble.
Ireland defended their lead well thereafter, conceding few chances in a tight game, with Bell’s side sealing their victory two minutes from time.
O’Gorman latched on to a well-executed through pass by substitute Ruesha Littlejohn before finishing clinically.
Afterwards, Bell expressed his satisfaction with the side’s display: “I’m delighted with the performance,” he said. “The players were a credit to themselves today, they put in so much effort across the pitch for the entire 90 minutes.
“They did everything we asked. They were able to sit back and use the ball well as we’ve got a lot of players at different stages but they all found the level which was required.
It’s great for Harriet (Scott) to get her debut. She’s a tireless defender who works really hard and you can tell she is proud to wear the shirt.
“It is just a start for the group but it is a good start. We’ve still got a lot of work to do with a difficult game against Hungary next which means we’ll have to refocus and get to the same levels.”
Republic of Ireland: Byrne (GK) (C), Perry, Quinn, Caldwell, Scott, Duggan (McLaughlin 80), O’Sullivan, O’Gorman (Kiernan 89), Connolly (Littlejohn 70), McCabe, Roche.
Subs: McQuillan (GK), Hourihan (GK), McCarthy, Berrill, Murray, O’Riordan, Shine.
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