Republic of Ireland 2 - 0 Israel

Two goals in the last 15 minutes gave Ireland the win over bottom-placed Israel in today's Euro 2013 qualifier at Tallaght, but it wasn't easy for Ireland.

Denise O'Sullivan scored her third international goal in her second match to break the deadlock on 75 minutes and captain Ciara Grant of Arsenal doubled Ireland's lead with just three minutes remaining. Israel- ranked 32 places below Ireland- certainly made their hosts work hard for the win.
 

Ireland probably had the better first half, but were largely unable to break a dogged Israeli defence down. ASA Tel Aviv 'keeper Mairav Shamir denied Ireland on numerous occasions, the first coming on 8 minutes when she rushed out of her box to win the ball from an unmarked Stephanie Roche.
 

Israeli midfielder Shelina Israel was one of her side's main creative forces, threading passes through the Irish defence on two separate occasions in the first half. But on both occasions Or Erez couldn't latch onto the ball. Emma Byrne spared Ireland's blushes on 23 minutes- superbly saving Adva Tavil's close-range shot with an outstretched leg.
 

Shamir again halted Ireland's progress on 25 minutes, pushing Fiona O'Sullivan's strong shot wide. Minutes later Stephanie Roche shot just wide after curling her free-kick over the wall a few yards from the Israeli box.  Just on the stroke of halftime Shamir was beaten, but the goal was ruled out. Fiona O'Sullivan was judged to have fouled before poked the ball past the Israeli stopper.
 

Where the first half saw a few chances for Israel, the second-half was almost completely dominated by Ireland. Fiona O'Sullivan popped up again to shoot just wide on 52 minutes and Aine O'Gorman followed up with another shot wide of the Israeli goal. Mairat Shamir was again the heroine for Israel on 66 minutes, this time saving a long-range Ciara Grant shot.

But nine minutes later Shamir was at last beaten and she could have done better this time to stop the goal. Grace Murray crossed into the Israeli box from deep on the right and an Irish attacker flicked the ball on for Denise O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan shot well on the half-volley but Shamir let the ball trickle agonisingly through her arms and into her net.
 

Captain Ciara Grant finished the match with three minutes left, striking the ball in at the near post after a right-sided cross from recently-introduced substitute Dora Gorman. Ireland can now look forward to next April's crucial away match against rivals Scotland with confidence.

Ireland: Emma Byrne; Marie Curtin [Dora Gorman '86], Grace Murray, Niamh Fahey, Yvonne Tracy, Megan Campbell [Louise Quinn '33], Ciara Grant (c), Aine O'Gorman, Fiona O'Sullivan, Denise O'Sullivan, Stephanie Roche [ Julie Ann Russell '73].

SUBS NOT USED: Niamh Reid-Burke, Michelle O'Brien, Emma Mullin, Meabh De Burca.

 

Israel: Merav Shamir, Maya Berqui, Michal Ravits, Diana Redman, Moran Fridman, Moran Lavi (c), Shelina Israel, Tal Shino, Sarit Shenar [Shay Sade '56], Adva Tavil, Or Erez.

SUBS NOT USED: Sapir Kaduro,Neama Cohen, Adi Stein, Ortal Shmailov, Oshrat Eini, Yfat Cohen.
Yellow Cards: Tal Shino.
 

Referee: Petra Chuda (Slovakia)

Attendance: 800 (unofficial estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Denise O'Sullivan.