Ireland U17 end campaign with draw
Credit:
Republic of Ireland 0 Norway 0
The Republic of Ireland Women’s U17 team restored their pride in their final UEFA European Championship Elite Phrase group game in Austria on Sunday.
Having lost to Poland and Austria in their opening two games, Ireland had no chance of winning the group and qualifying for the European Finals in June but Norway had a glimmer of hope providing they won and the result and scoreline of the other game went in their favour.
However, the Norwegians, who started the group as first seeds, were forced to play second fiddle throughout to an Irish team who dominated in every aspect of the game expect on the scoreboard.
One reason for that was the performance of the Norwegian goalkeeper Oda Bogstad who produced a string of saves to deny the Irish the win their performance so richly deserved. One first half save in particular stood out when she brilliantly tipped a Megan Connolly shot onto her crossbar. That was one of two saves from the Irish striker and she produced another excellent stop in the second -half to deny Amber Barrett while Shannon Carson, Lisa Casserly and Savannah McCarthy all had efforts that missed the target.
Two Irish players, Aisling Frawley and Ciara Rossiter were booked during the game while Brooke Dunne kept a clean sheet on her international debut and her Peamount United colleague Rachel Doyle was introduced as a second-half substitute to earn her first cap.
After the game Ireland manager Dave Connell couldn’t hide his delight with the performance.
“I honestly don’t know how we didn’t win that game because we absolutely battered them. The girls were tremendous and it was a pity they didn’t get the win their performance deserved. They know they didn’t play to their full potential in the games against Poland and Austria but they showed today how good they are and that was pleasing,” said Connell.
Several of the squad are underage for next year and Connell believes the experience will stand to them.
“Quite a few of the girls are U17 for next season so this will have been a good experience for them and the ones who are over-age will definitely strengthen the U19 squad. We just played Norway, whose players are a full-time academy, off the park so we’re doing something right and I think we are getting better.”
Poland won the group after drawing 1-1 with hosts Austria in the other game.
Republic of Ireland: Brooke Dunne (Peamount United): Ciara McNamara (St. Marys, Cork), Lauren Dwyer (Wexford Ladies), Shannon Carson (St Mary’s Cork), Ciara Rossiter (Wexford Ladies); Amy O’Connor (Cork Women’s FC), Lisa Casserly (Castlebar Celtic), Savannah McCarthy (Listowel Celtic); Frawley (Wexford Ladies), Megan Connolly (College Corinthians), Amber Barrett (Lagan Harps). Subs: Jessica Gargan (Peamount United) for Frawley (49), Rachel Doyle (Peamount United) for Barrett (64). Subs not used: Keeva Keenan (WFTA); Rebekah Carroll (Shamrock Rovers), Avril Brierley (St. Joseph’s).
Norway: Oda Bogstad; Marit Clausen, Karina Jonassen, Cecilie Dekkerhus, Karina Sævik, Marie Markussen, Cesilie Andreassen, Moa Kristina Eriksson (Caroline Hovland 60), Inga Sofie Bakken, Sina Elise Tosterud (Tonje Danielsen 68), Eira Mørch-Thoresen (Kristin Tveit 60)
