Ireland U17 Women qualify for UEFA finals in Iceland

Ireland went into their final Elite phase qualifying game in Turner’s Cross last Tuesday knowing a win against Hungary with Holland failing to beat England would secure the girls plane ticket to the championship this June.

However Ireland failed to find the back of the Hungarian net with the game finishing scoreless, while Holland suffered defeat, this allowed England to leapfrog both sides and secure top spot in Group 2.

After the game it was revealed that UEFA declared the best runner’s up spot would be decided on head to head against the first and third placed teams in each group. This left Ireland one of the favourites the secure the remaining spot thanks to a 2-0 win over group winner England and a scoreless draw with third placed Holland.

The agonising wait for Ireland came to an end this afternoon when Sweden failed to collect three points against Norway, with the match finishing 1-1 in Austria.

Extratime.ie spoke to an overjoyed Amanda McQuillan after the news broke that Ireland would be in the Euro Finals later this year.

“We are delighted all of our hard work has finally paid off, last few days were an emotional roller coaster not knowing whether we did enough or not. The hard work begins now.”

Draw takes place in Reykjavik City Hall on Wednesday 29 April at 13.30CET.  The finals will be played from 22 June to 4 July in Grindavik, Kopavogs, Akranes and three venues in Reykjavik.