Updated at 12.32
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND men’s and women’s U17s teams suffered disappointment today.
The men’s sides’ hopes of reaching the Uefa European U17 Championships in Israel are officially over following a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria at the Municipal, Santa Comba Dao in Portugal on Tuesday.
After defeats to Portugal and Finland in their opening two games in Group 8, Colin O’Brien’s side were facing an uphill task — they needed a big win as well as results elsewhere to go their way.
However, goals from substitute Rocco Vata and Sam Curtis were only good enough to earn a point, having trailed 2-0 at half-time following Roberto Iliev Raychev’s brace.
Elsewhere, their female counterparts’ dream of reaching the Uefa Women’s U17 European Championships came to a disappointing end at Tallaght Stadium this afternoon.
James Scott’s side lost 4-1 to Iceland. Having previously drawn 1-1 with Slovakia and lost 2-1 to Finland, the Girls In Green needed to win their final game and hope that Slovakia overcame Finland. But neither of the results came through, with the Finns 4-0 winners at the UCD Bowl to ensure they topped Group A and prevailed to the finals tournament.
Captain Abbie Larkin — a recent senior debutante under Vera Pauw — opened the scoring in the fourth minute, capitalising on Ireland’s bright start. The Shelbourne youngster was first to pounce after Icelandic goalkeeper Fanney Inga Birkisdóttir fumbled Michaela Lawrence’s free-kick.
The visitors hit back in the 12th minute, when Eryún Embla fired home from outside the box, getting on the end of a cleared corner. Ireland created a couple of chances thereafter, with Lia O’Leary of Shels among the bright sparks, but it was Iceland who took the lead right before half time through Emelía Óskarsdóttir.
As Iceland tried to frustrate, Ireland looked to create, and came close to levelling matters once again as they dug deep.
But a late brace from Hrafnhildur Ása Halldórsdóttir sealed the victory.
In addition, Ireland’s men’s U19 team ended their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Armenia.
Andy Moran, Cian Hayes, Anselmo Garcia MacNulty and Evan Caffrey scored the goals for Tom Mohan’s side.
Previous defeats suffered against England and Portugal mean they do not qualify for the final tournament.
Armenia: Manasyan (GK), Arakelyan, Smbatyan, Davtyan, Abrahamyan, Martirosyan (Hakobyan 73), Tigran Sargsyan (Edgar Piloyan 56), Narek Manukyan, Vahram Makhsudyan (Vladimir Muradyan 66), Spartak Hayrapetyan, Levon Vardanyan.
Republic of Ireland: Keeley (GK), Grehan, Roughan (Lawal 46), Garcia MacNulty, Adaramola, Adeeko (Henry-Francis 69), McJannet (Murphy 85), Corbally, Nzingo (Caffrey 61), Moran, Hayes.
Referee: Peter Kjaesgaard (Denmark)
Republic of Ireland MU17: Doherty; Savshak (Vata 46), Heffernan, Curtis, Martin Sean McHale (O’Brien 59); Tetteh (Umeh 59), Ferizaj, McManus, Zefi; Bloxham, O’Mahony (McLoughlin 46).
Bulgaria MU17: Bozhev; Atanasov, Georgiev, Marinov (Pavlov 70), Tsonev; Do (Chakarov 87), Stoyanov, Mitkov (Hadzha 80); Raychev (Vasilev 87), Kirev, Marinov.
Referee: Ion Orlic (Moldova).
Republic of Ireland WU17: Lawless (Keenan 58); Russell, Thompson, Mackin (Fleming 45), O’Hanlon; O’Mahony, Kelly, Lawrence (Ralph 45); McCarn (Atkinson 58), Larkin (C), O’Leary (Loughrey 58).
Iceland WU17: Birkisdóttir (c), Margrétardóttir, Gunnarsdóttir, Hjartardóttir, Helgadóttir; Kristinsdóttir, Gudmundsdóttir, Halldórsdóttir; Óskarsdóttir, Tryggvadóttir, Tryggvadóttir.
Referee: Zulema Gonzalez Gonzalez (Spain).
Results
- Republic of Ireland 1-1 Slovakia
- Republic of Ireland 1-2 Finland
- Republic of Ireland 1-4 Iceland
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