Our Under 19 Women, guided by Head Coach Dave Connell, commenced their 2019 European Championship Elite Stage challenge with a four nil victory over Hungary in Campo Municipal de A Lomba, Spain early on Wednesday afternoon. Ireland started slowly but a fine run from Bristol City striker Heather Payne on thirty minutes was brought to an abrupt end in the box and Payne herself calmly converted the spot kick. Ireland extended their lead six minutes later through an own goal and a second goal from Payne on sixty eight minutes enabled us to cruise to victory, with Kilkenny United striker Carla McManus adding the fourth goal on ninety minutes.
The other two Group Four contestants, Serbia and mini-tournament hosts Spain meet later in the afternoon at 5.30pm.
With only the Group winner progressing to the Championship Finals, Ireland will face Serbia in their second contest on Saturday the 6th April with European Champions Spain the opponents in the concluding Group fixture on Tuesday the 9th April 2019.
Team: R Kelly; R Baynes, S Doyle, R McGovern, L Lobato; M Mackey(C), T Ruddy, N Reynolds; H Payne, A McEvoy, M O’Driscoll
Substitutes:
Kelly Brady for O’Driscoll 55′
A Slattery for Baynes 65′
C McManus for Ruddy 80′
C Singleton for McEvoy 80′
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Rachael Kelly(Shelbourne WFC), Erica Turner(DLR Waves)
Defenders: Rachel Baynes(Galway WFC), Leah Brady(Galway WFC), Katie Burdis(DLR Waves), Sadhbh Doyle(Galway WFC), Roisin McGovern(DLR Waves), Aoife Slattery(Wexford WFC)
Midfielders: Sinead Donavan(Galway WFC), Lucia Lobato(Galway WFC), Megan Mackey(Brighton & Hove Albion), Tiegan Ruddy(Shelbourne WFC), Chloe Singleton(Galway WFC)
Forwards: Kelly Brady(World Class-USA), Keelin McEntee(DLR Waves), Alannah McEvoy(Shelbourne WFC), Carla McManus(Kilkenny United), Michelle O’Driscoll(Daytona State University-USA), Heather Payne(Bristol City), Niamh Reynolds(Reading WFC)