IRELAND HAD THEIR eyes firmly fixed on UEFA HQ in Switzerland on Friday morning where they learned their fate for the Elite Round of next year’s European Women’s U17 Championship.
After a comprehensive and impressive qualifying round in Turner’s Cross at the end of last month, Ireland were placed in Pot A along with other top seeds such as Austria, Norway, France, Spain and last year’s winners Germany.
The Girls in Green were drawn against second seeds Hungary, who marched through their own qualifying round with relative ease picking up seven of the nine points on offer. Dave Bell’s team will also face off against neighbours Scotland who, in qualifying, were humbled by France 4-0 but rectified their dignity by tearing apart both Kazakhstan and Croatia 8-0 and 4-0 respectively.
All of Ireland’s elite round matches will be played between 14-19 March next year in Serbia, where they’ll also play the hosts, who in truth stumbled their way through qualifying, after drawing with Ukraine, losing to Belgium and only securing a 1-0 win against Romania. Only the six group winners as well as the best runner-up will qualify for the finals with hosts Czech Republic in May 2017.
“I’m pleased with how the draw worked out for us and after talking to all the girls, we are all confident that we can qualify and get to the finals but we know it won’t be easy,” Irish captain Tiegan Ruddy said.
Ruddy, who joined Peamount United from her local club Ballyoulster FC , has excelled over the last two years for Sharon Boyle’s U16 team and in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League.
The Celbridge native knows that despite the work that has been done, there is more to do before the Elite Round next March. She was also a key player for Bell’s U17s last year when they came so close to reaching the finals.
That near miss is motivation now and the 16-year-old hopes to utilise the disappointment of last year to go a step further this time round.
To make it to Prague next May, the 18-strong Irish team not only have to get through the Elite Round but also had to emerge from a preliminary qualifying round last month in Turner’s Cross, the home of Cork City.
First up was the challenge of the Faroe Islands which in truth turned out to be no challenge at all. A resounding 6-0 victory came courtesy of goals from Orla Casey, a double from Allanah McEvoy and a hat-trick from Peamount’s Carla McManus.
A 2-0 victory against Belarus ensured progression to the Elite Round. All that was left to do was finish top of the group and progress as top seeds, which they did without a scare with a 4-1 win over Iceland on Hallowe’en night.
Ruddy believes that they had more to offer. “Of course we were happy with the results but we all knew as a team that we didn’t perform to our capabilities. The win against the Faroes was a great start and gave the team a lot of confidence but we proved how good of a team we are against Iceland, especially in the second half.”
McManus, who was in fine form with five goals over the three qualifiers in Cork, is imperative to Ireland’s progression and her captain realises the importance of the Athlone-born striker.
“Carla is a massive asset to our team and really stepped up to the plate, scoring five goals, and showed great attitude coming off the bench to score a hat-trick against the Faroe Islands.”
Team morale is key in this squad, made up of 18 girls from 10 different clubs around the country including Megan Mackey who plays her football in London for the Chelsea ladies. Ruddy realises that despite a large Peamount United and Shelbourne contingent, this group of players is a close-knit one that doesn’t lack a sense of togetherness.
“Having the five of us playing at the same club does help because we all click and get on very well, but everyone within our team has become close, no matter what club they are playing for, which is great”.
Still in her teens, Ruddy believes that being called up to the senior panel by manager Sue Ronan has stood to her as she captains the U17 squad.
“I enjoy being the captain of the squad and have learnt a lot from last year’s captain Saoirse Noonan but there are a lot of leaders in our team.”
With the hopes of a double-header of friendlies in the new year, Ruddy and co. should be brimming with confidence as the Elite Round draws closer and the prospect of securing a spot among the elite of Europe may become a reality next summer.
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