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Ireland's record caps holder Emma Byrne.
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In-form Byrne helps Ireland keep Russia at bay in World Cup qualifier

The Girls in Green have earned four points from their last two competitive matches after today’s result in Krasnoarmeysk.

Russia 0-0 Ireland 

IRELAND’S SENIOR WOMEN’S team claimed a hard-fought draw away to Russia in their World Cup qualifier this afternoon.

The Girls in Green travelled to Krasnoarmeysk full of confidence on the back of a 1-0 win over Croatia at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday and also intent on avoiding a repeat of last month’s meeting between the teams, which ended 3-1 to the Russians.

The home side, second in Group 1 behind Germany and five points ahead of Ireland, had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but rarely threatened Emma Byrne’s goal.

Fiona O’Sullivan and Denise O’Sullivan both forced saves out of Russian number one Elvira Todua and, just before the half-time whistle, Arsenal stopper Byrne was called into action to stop Nelli Korovkina’s goalbound header from a corner.

Fiona O'Sullivan Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

After the break, Stephanie Roche teed up Fiona O’Sullivan and her strike was a good one but once again Todua came to Russia’s rescue. Overall, chances were few and far between but Byrne had to be at her best to keep Alla Sidorovskaya at bay in the final minute of the game.

Russia: Elvira Todua; Ekaterina Dmitrenko, Ksenia Tsybutovich, Daria Makarenko, Elena Medved; Alla Sidorovskaya, Olga Petrova; Elena Tereknova (Alena Andreeva 77), Neilli Korovkina, Ekaterina Sochneva; Ekaterina Pantyukhina (Anna Cholovyaga 53).

Ireland: Emma Byrne; Aine O’Gorman, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Karen Duggan; Dora Gorman, Diane Caldwell; Julie-Ann Russell, Denise O’Sullivan, Stephanie Roche (Ruesha Littlejohn 69); Fiona O’Sullivan (Siobhan Killeen 89).

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