Ireland U17 Women draw with Denmark
Credit:
The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Denmark in the second of their Women’s U17 international friendlies at Frank Cooke Park, Dublin, on Thursday.
Ireland manager Dave Connell made two changes to his starting line-up from the eleven which started Tuesday’s 2-0 win over the Danes. Peamount United’s Amy Corcoran came in for Chelsea Noonan in goal while Yeats United striker Sarah McGeogh replaced Amber Barrett in the forward line with Megan Connolly, who scored twice on Tuesday, taking over the captain’s armband from Savannah McCarthy.
Having lost the first game on Tuesday 2-0, the Danes showed from the start that they were out to redeem themselves and they took the lead after just ten minutes when a long free-kick into the box was headed home by their skipper Stine Larsen.
But the Irish girls refused to panic against a nation which finished third in last year’s UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship and 15 minutes later some neat interplay between Aisling Frawley and Lisa Casserly created an opening for Connolly and the Irish striker chipped the ball past the advancing keeper into the top corner.
“She is a very good finisher. She showed that on Tuesday and again today,” said Connell.
The second half saw the Irish defence come under a lot of pressure as the Danes went all out for a winning goal to give them some sort of revenge for Tuesday’s defeat but the Girls in Green hung on for the draw and a great morale boost ahead of next month’s daunting European Championship qualifying tournament against Georgia, Belarus and Finland.
“Denmark were a very good side and we from their performances last season that they are a strong nation at this level so these were two good results this week for us,” said Connell afterwards. “Everybody, players and staff, worked very hard all week so it has been good preparation for the qualifying tournament.”
Republic of Ireland: Amy Corcoran (Peamount United), Keeva Keenan (WFTA), Savannah McCarthy (Listowel Celtic), Payton Goulding (Minnesota Thunder), Rebekah Carroll (Peamount United), Lisa Casserly (Colga FC), Aisling Frawley (Tramore FC), Megan Lawlor (Chelsea Match Fit) , Sarah McGeogh (Yeats United), Megan Connolly (College Corinthians), Ciara McNamara (St Mary’s Cork).
Substitutes: Chelsea Noonan (Douglas Hall), Orla Martin (New York Magic), Megan Kelliher (Kilmallock), Kaitlyn McNamara (World Class FC), Eleanor Stafford (Salthill Devon), Amber Barrett Lagan Harps), Sarah Jane McDonald (Greencastle).
Denmark: Naja Bahrenscheer, Camilla Knudsen, Stine Larsen, Louise Ringsing, Laura Pedersen, Mathilde Madsen, Maja Kildemoes, Rikke Dybdahl, Sara Thrige Andersen, Mathilde Jessen, Signe Boysen.
Substitutes: Rikke Sevecke, Mathilde Wichmann, Nicoline Sørensen, Sarah Dyrehauge, Kamilla Jensen, Thora Hansen (GK), Emilie Henriksen
