Our Republic of Ireland Senior Women went down to a three two defeat by Iceland in a friendly international played in a very windy Reykjavik early on Friday evening. The hosts, with the advantage of the nigh on gale force wind took a three goal advantage into the half-time break. While conditions were a significant factor, Ireland did not do themselves any favours with the paucity of their first half display, described by analyst Alan Cawley as the worst of the Vera Pauw managerial reign. There was an improved second half showing with striker Heather Payne scoring four minutes after the resumption. Despite the advantage of the conditions, Ireland did not pressurise their host sufficiently with the second goal from half-time substitute Amber Barrett coming in the second minute of added time.
The sides are set to meet again at the same venue at 6pm on Tuesday next with the RTE Player again providing a live broadcast.
Team: Grace Moloney; Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn; Jamie Finn, Megan Connolly, Niamh Farrelly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(c); Aoife Colvill, Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Amber Barrett for Colvill 46′
Eabha O’Mahoney for Farrelly 46′
Manager Vera Pauw has selected a twenty five player squad for the contests.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Courtney Brosnan (Unattached), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Keeva Keenan (Glasgow Celtic), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahoney (Cork City), Claire O’Riordan (MSV Duisberg), Louise Quinn (Fiorentina), Claire Walsh (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Shelbourne), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Connecticut Fusion), Ellen Molloy (Wexford), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Aoife Colvill (Glasgow City), Rianna Jarrett (Unattached), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University)