Ireland secure qualification for UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship

The Republic of Ireland have qualified for this summer’s under-19 European Championship with a game to spare in this week’s qualification tournament.

Having defeated Iceland 4-1 in their first game (see here), on Saturday the the Girls in Green overcame Austria 1-0 to qualify for the finals tournament in Lithuania – making a return to the tournament at this age group for the first time since 2014.

Shamrock Rovers striker Joy Ralph, who scored against Iceland, was the match winner for Dave Connell’s side in the weekend win over Austria.

Joy Ralph: ‘I think we need a bit of luck at the moment to be honest' https://t.co/0ImJKMdLyKpic.twitter.com/y2uEhVKQoD

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 31, 2024

The game ended with ten players each – Ireland’s Freya Healy was dismissed late on having picked up two yellow cards.

Ireland have one more match remaining – against qualification tournament hosts Croatia on Tuesday – but have already made this summer’s finals due to a better head-to-head record with Croatia.

Republic of Ireland u19: Katie Keane; Meabh Russell, Kate Thompson, Aoife Kelly, Eve Dossen, Jodie Loughrey; Sophie Morrin (Freya Healy 71), Jess Fitzgerald; Ellen Dolan, Joy Ralph (Rola Olusola 83), Lia O’Leary (Hannah Healy 69).

So who are England? A cheat code to some of the superstar Lionesses (Part One) https://t.co/IFp3uN2UU1pic.twitter.com/pQBYFqxOJX

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 6, 2024