U19 Women face Austria in Whitehall
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The Republic of Ireland Women’s U19 squad face Austria on Thursday as part of their preparations for next month’s UEFA European Championship Elite Phase. The game will take place at Home Farm FC in Whitehall, Dublin, at 7pm and there is free admission.
Ireland will face Italy, Sweden and hosts Netherlands in their Elite Phase group from April 4 to 9 and manager Dave Connell reckons tomorrow’s match will be ideal preparation for his side even though he will be without some key players through injury and senior international call-ups.
Rhianna Jarrett, Clare Shine, Shauna Newman and Emily Cahill are all injured while skipper Deirdre O’Sullivan is with the Senior Women’s Team at the Cyprus Cup. Castlebar’s Emma Hansberry is also part of the Cyprus Cup squad but she won’t link up with Sue Ronan’s side until Friday and instead will captain the U19s in O’Sullivan’s absence on Thursday night.
Connell has 11 of the squad which secured qualification for the Elite Phase with wins over Cyprus, Latvia and Serbia last October and has drafted Castlebar duo Shaunagh Jackson and Sara Rowe, Peamount United’s Jetta Burrell and three members of the U17 squad, Amy O’Connor (Wilton United), Rebekah Carroll (Shamrock Rovers) and Avril Brierley (St. Joseph’s).
“Although we are missing a lot of players this is still a good opportunity for us to get a game under our belt and have a look at a few players. There are at least two spots in the squad for the Elite Phase up for grabs so there is plenty to play for,” said Connell.
Republic of Ireland U19 Squad:
Jill Maloney (GSA 95 Phoenix Red, USA),
Grace Wright (Challenge FC, USA),
Chloe Mustaki (Peamount United),
Lauren Murphy (Cork Women’s FC),
Ciara O’Connell (Cork Women’s FC),
Emma Hansberry (Castlebar Celtic),
Sara Rowe (Castlebar Celtic),
Carys Johnson (Everton),
Jetta Burrell (Peamount United)
Gemma McGuiness (Greencastle),
Katie McCabe (Raheny),
Shaunagh Jackson (Castlebar Celtic),
Kelly Halligan (Blackburn Rovers),
Orlagh Nolan (Shamrock Rovers),
Amy O’Connor (Wilton United),
Rebekah Carroll (Shamrock Rovers),
Avril Brierley (St. Joseph’s).
