Heartbreak for U19s as they lose to Sweden
Credit:
Sweden 2-0 Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland Women’s U19s team’s UEFA Championship dreams ended in bitter disappointment on Tuesday after losing their final group game to title holders Sweden in the Netherlands.
Ireland entered the game as table leaders after beating Italy and hosts Netherlands, and needed just a draw to secure qualification for the finals this Summer. However, despite starting the game well and dominating play in the first half, a second half goal resulting from a fumble between Ireland’s two centre halves and goalkeeper Jillian Maloney turned the game around. A rejuvenated Swedish side then grew in confidence, and added insult to Irish injury with another goal by Pauline Hammarlund in the 84th minute, crushing Irish dreams of qualification.
Ireland created many chances with captain Denise O’Sullivan at the helm of most goal attempts but was unlucky not to change the scoreboard in Sportpark Tanthof – Zuid.
Ireland were rocked by two injuries from their more experienced players Rianna Jarrett and Clare Shine before the game. Sarah Rowe was also sidelined after coming down with a virus, however made a brief appearance for the girls in green in the second half, before being substituted by Kelly Halligan in the 89th minute.
Speaking after the game, head coach Dave Connell was proud of his players.
‘We are hugely disappointed with today’s result, but it wasn’t to be for us unfortunately. We can all be extremely proud of ourselves however, and beating two big football nations in the group is a great achievement. All we can do now is build from this and move on. We’ll still have 12 of this year’s squad eligible next year, so the future is bright. The girls can hold their heads high.’
There is one qualifying place left for the highest ranked second place team with the best record against the sides first and third in their pool. However, it is unlikely that Ireland will qualify.
Ireland: Jillian Maloney, Grace Wright, Lauren Murphy, Chloe Mustaki, Ciara O'Connell, Emma Hansberry, Denise O'Sullivan (C), Katie McCabe, Orlagh Nolan (Sarah Rowe ’62- Kelly Halligan ‘89), Gemma McGuinness (Shauna Newman ’83), Jetta Berrill.
Sweden: Louise Högrell (GK), Alice Nilsson, Alexandra Benediktsson, Elin Bragnum, Lina Hurtig, Malin Diaz (C), Pauline Hammarlund, Fanny Andersson (Sofia Anker-Kofoed ’46 mins), Julia Wahlberg, Marija Banuši? (Mimmi Larsson’75 mins), Nina Jakobsson (Mimmi Löfwenius ’83 mins)
Referee: Sandra Bastos (POR)
