Republic of Ireland   1 - 1   Italy

The early exchanges of the game showed there was going to be little between the two sides.  Ireland did well to close down the Italian high up the pitch, giving them little room to play their passing game.

Italy were the first to come close to scoring, a corner swung in dangerously, which was bravely cleared off the line by Lauren Boles.  This sparked Ireland into life as Amber Barrett was given time and space to test the Italian keeper, who had to gather the ball at the second attempt.

Ireland began to stamp their authority on the game with a succession of free kicks around the box, testing the keeper on a number of occasions.  Katie McCabe was proving a handful on the left side with continuous threatening runs.

Similarly on the opposite side, good skill by Amy O’Connor fed Lauren Boles, whose feint deceived the Italian defender, giving her no option but to upend the midfielder on the edge of the box.  The resulting free kick was well struck by McCabe and flashed narrowly over the bar.

AS the second half kicked into life so too did Ireland as they upped their performance another few gears.  Amber Barrett proving to be a handful for the Italian defence as Barrett forced a succession of corners.

Amy O’Connor was also making the Italian full back work hard to try and contain the winger.  It was O’Connor’s driving run that forced a corner which led to the opening goal.  McCabe’s quality delivery was too hot to handle for the Italian defence as the Italian captain deflected the ball into her own net.

Ireland were well on top now, spurred on by the goal.  McCabe’s mazy run forward set up Ireland captain Claire Shine for a strike on goal only to see the shot rise over the bar.

Chloe Mustaki who worked tirelessly in midfield, spotted one of Barrett’s many runs which was timed to perfection.  Barrett did well to hold off the Italian defence and it took an excellent save from the Italian keeper to keep the game at 1-0.

As Ireland continue to hammer at the Italians, with attack after attack.  McCabe, Barrett and Shine all going close on a number of occasions.  One would’ve been forgiven to think, Ireland could be punished for not finishing off their chances, the best of the chances coming from another corner.  Mary Fitzpatrick watched as her header came back off the crossbar and Barrett’s rebound was blocked on the line.

A lapse in concentration by Ireland was punished by the Italians, a sloppy pass high up the pitch was easily intercepted and played long to Arianna Montecucco who skipped past the challenge to the Irish defence and made no mistake in leveling the game.

A draw wasn’t enough for the Italians – they needed to secure all 3 points in order to be in with a chance to qualify.  The Irish defence stood firm forcing the Italians to head over from a dangerous free kick.  In the dying moments, with having very little to do for the whole match, Irish keeper Jill Maloney was called into action.  A free kick was lobbed straight down the middle to Montecucco who had time to take it on her chest and swivel to hit the ball goalwards from 6yards.  Maloney showed her class, by closing the space quickly and great reactions at point blank range saw her push the ball wide of the goal.

Celebrations all around as the final whistle went.   A point was enough to finish top of the group on 7points.  All roads now lead to the elite stage in 2012.  Manager, Harry Kenny was clearly overjoyed with the players and their efforts. “It’s a fantastic achievement to get out of such a difficult group. Everyone in the squad played their part in achieving this.  I’m looking forward seeing who we get in the draw in Nyon in November”

Republic of Ireland: Jill Maloney, Shauna Newman, Ciara O’Connor, Mary Fitzpatrick, Ciara Rossiter, Katie McCabe, Chloe Mustaki, Clare Shine (c), Amber Barrett, Lauren Boles, Amy O’Connor.  Subs used: Lauren Dwyer, Caroline Healy.

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