IRELAND’S BID TO reach the semi-final stage of the Women’s U17s European Championship has fallen short after Dave Bell’s side suffered a late defeat to Norway this afternoon.
After losing to England in their first group outing, Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the tournament were ended by Rikke Bogetveit Nygard’s header at the Plzen City Stadium.
The result leaves Ireland bottom of Group B but they’ll hope to end the campaign on a high when they face Netherlands on Monday.
“It was tough to see us lose the game. We had a game-plan and I thought we stuck to the game-plan really well,” Bell said afterwards.
“We said if we draw the game, that’s not the end of the world as we’d still be in the melting pot for the final game against Netherlands but it wasn’t to be.
“Unfortunately, the goal came a few minutes from the end and it puts us out of the tournament. I can only give the players great praise though, they’ve done everything of what we’ve asked of them and they should be proud of themselves.”
Ireland: Erica Turner, Sadhbh Doyle, Tiegan Ruddy, Lauryn Grier, Aisling Spillane (Eabha O’Mahony 37 (Carla McManus 69)), Tyler Toland, Doireann Fahey (Orla Casey 62), Megan Mackey, Jessica Ziu, Alannah McEvoy, Heather Payne.
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