A NEW CAMPAIGN, a new challenge but the usual approach for Dave Connell and his U19 international squad.
Having qualified for the Elite Round with a game to spare, the side are one step closer to booking their place at next summer’s European Championship finals in Northern Ireland.
Their final Group 2 opponents come in the form of a strong Italy side on Sunday.
Ireland demolished home side FYR Macedonia earlier in the week, tallying up a ten goal total. Impressive Shelbourne striker Leanne Kiernan got her name on the score sheet four times, while Niamh Prior and Alex Kavanagh scored two each and Jamie Finn and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle added to Macedonia’s misery with single goals.
Kiernan was in top form again on Thursday, putting two past Wales to ensure that her side stayed top of the group.
Meanwhile, Italy have been performing well and are the challenge Ireland need before the Elite Round early next year. The Azzuri defeated Macedonia 4-0 on Thursday and beat Wales 6-0 in their opening encounter.
Connell’s side have dominated both of their group matches in every possible way. They have attempted 55 shots on goal and pinned their opponents inside their own half, been solid defensively, dominated possession and linked play cleverly with precise passing.
Each of the players have responded well to Connell’s tactics and have been putting in positive individual performances on top of team ones.
Connell, of course, is no stranger to these situations, twice having lead teams to European finals. In 2014, his U19 side historically reached the semi final only to be beaten by tournament winners Holland, and in 2015, 13 of his current squad traveled to Iceland for the u17 finals.
“I’m delighted for the players because they have deserved the two victories. Now we want to finish what we came here to do and top the group” the Dublin-born coach said.
“It’s important that we keep the continuity going and the belief that we can beat the bigger teams. Italy are next and they will be another challenge for us, but there is no reason why we cannot overcome them too.
“To qualify for the Elite Round is important for the development of our players because they get to play against best teams. We started this campaign with a task of winning six games; we are two down now with two wins so we are going well.
“Our belief, when setting out at the start, was that this group of players is good enough to reach the finals in Northern Ireland. We now have to keep working hard to achieve that but the girls have done brilliantly.”
Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 19s:
Goalkeepers: Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies), Naoisha McAloon (Peamount United)
Defenders: Lucy McCartan (Peamount United), Fiona Donnelly, Lynn Craven (Shelbourne Ladies), Chloe Moloney (Galway WFC), Jamie Finn (Florida Gulf Coast University), Niamh Prior (UCD Waves)
Midfielders: Evelyn Daly, Saoirse Noonan (Cork City WFC), Alex Kavanagh, Sophie Watters (Shelbourne Ladies), Roma McLaughlin, Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Jessica Nolan (Galway WFC)
Strikers: Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, Dearbhabile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies)
Results and Fixtures:
Tuesday, October 18: Republic of Ireland 10 – 0 Macedonia
Thursday, October 20: Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Wales
Sunday, October 23: Republic of Ireland v Italy, Boris Trajkovski, Skopje, KO 13:30
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