Ireland Women's Under-19 squad finalised for UEFA Championships
Manager Ireland Women U19 Dave Connell Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)
The Ireland Women's Under-19s have announced their squad for the 2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships in Lithuania.
Drawn into Group B, Ireland will face Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, starting with a match against reigning champions Spain on Monday, July 15th.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals. Ireland last reached the semi-finals in 2014, defeating Spain, England, and Sweden before losing to the Netherlands.
Head Coach Dave Connell has selected a strong squad, which qualified for the tournament by topping Group A2 in Round 2, with victories over Iceland, Austria, and Croatia. Eighteen players in the squad have already played in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division this season, and Katie Keane, Jess Fitzgerald, Freya Healy, and Ellen Dolan have trained with the Ireland Women's National Team.
Donegal sisters Jodie and Keri Loughrey could become the first female siblings to represent Ireland at a major tournament.
"We are looking forward to the challenge of testing ourselves against the best teams in the world at this level. This is what tournament football is all about," said Connell. "It is a fantastic opportunity for the players to grasp this opportunity and we are ready to do our country proud. The team spirit that we have built throughout qualifying can be a strength for us and we will be fully prepared going into each game."
Connell is one of three staff members who were part of the team the last time the WU19s competed in the European Championships, along with Goalkeeping Coach Pat Behan and Equipment Officer Barbara Bermingham.
Athlone Town, Wexford, Galway United, Peamount United, and Shamrock Rovers each contribute three players to the squad.
From Athlone Town, the squad includes goalkeeper Katie Keane, defender Mary Phillips, and forward Hazel Donegan. Representing Wexford are goalkeeper Jayne Merren, defender Meabh Russell, and forward Ceola Bergin.
Galway United players in the squad are defenders Kate Thompson and Eve Dossen, and forward Rola Olusola. Peamount United contributes midfielders Jess Fitzgerald and Freya Healy, along with forward Ellen Dolan.
Shamrock Rovers is represented by defender Aoife Kelly and forwards Joy Ralph and Lia O'Leary.
Additionally, Sligo Rovers has the Loughrey sisters, Jodie and Keri, who play in midfield.
The squad is rounded out by Sophie Morrin from the University of Texas, Aoife Turner from MVLA Soccer, and Hannah Healy from Shelbourne.
The tournament will take place in Jonava, Kaunas, and Marijampole, with the semi-finals on Wednesday, July 24th, and the final on Saturday, July 27th.
Ireland WU19 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Katie Keane (Athlone Town), Jayne Merren (Wexford)
Defenders: Meabh Russell (Wexford), Aoife Turner (MVLA Soccer), Kate Thompson, Eve Dossen (Galway United), Aoife Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Mary Phillips (Athlone Town)
Midfielders: Hannah Healy (Shelbourne), Sophie Morrin (University of Texas), Jess Fitzgerald, Freya Healy (Peamount United), Jodie Loughrey, Keri Loughrey (Sligo Rovers)
Forwards: Joy Ralph, Lia O'Leary (Shamrock Rovers), Ceola Bergin (Wexford), Ellen Dolan (Peamount United), Rola Olusola (Galway United), Hazel Donegan (Athlone Town)
2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships Group B Fixtures:
Monday, July 15th: Spain vs Ireland, Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje, KO 12:00
Thursday, July 18th: Ireland vs Germany, Jonava City Stadium, KO 12:00
Sunday, July 21st: Ireland vs Netherlands, Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje, KO 12:00
