Created on Thursday, 07 March 2013 23:17
Ireland Women’s U19s beaten 0-1 by Austria in friendly fixture
The Republic of Ireland Women’s Women’s U19 squad were beaten 0-1 in a friendly fixture against Austria this evening (Thursday). The game, part of their preparations for next month’s UEFA European Championship Elite phase, was played in very wet conditions in Home farm FC, Whitehall.
Ireland started the game very strongly, dominating possession throughout the first half. Castlebar Celtic’s Emma Hansberry was unlucky to score after an on target shot at 33 minutes. Ciara O’Connell looked strong in central defence making several clearances, with Grace Wright at her side making many runs down the right wing. Ireland were unlucky not to make it 1-0 after a super Kelly Halligan cross to Orla Nolan, who narrowly failed to connect in front of goal.
Austria came close to changing the score board with a corner in the 33rd minute with a header from Mona-Sophie Kohn, which narrowly went wide. Both sides were 0-0 at the interval.
Manager, Dave Connell, was without key players due to injury and senior call-ups, made two substitutions at half time replacing Orla Nolan and Katie McCabe with Amy O’Connor and Gemma McGuinness respectively.
Austria looked rejuvenated in the second half, and controlled possession throughout. Ireland remained strong, creating many chances. However, Austria defended well and dominated on the counter attack. At 60 minutes, Jelena Prvulovic’s clear shot on the Irish goal was saved by goalkeeper Jillian Maloney, who was deemed ‘Woman of the match’ by Dave Connell after a convincing performance. Greencastle’s Gemma McGuinness also performed well after her introduction, and served as a worthy replacement for Katie McCabe who was struck down and unable to continue after a heavy tackle in the first half.
Connell made several more changes introducing Jetta Berrill, Rebekah Carroll, Avril Brierley and Shaunagh Newman in the second half making use of each of his substitutes.
Maloney made another convincing save at 75 minutes when Jelena Prvulovic laid the ball forward for Jessica Starchi in front of goal. However, Austria’s efforts were rewarded in the 79th minute, when a free kick, laid in high, connected with Number 9 Jessica Starchi who found the top left corner of the Irish net. Austria lead 0-1 coming into the final 10 minutes of the game. Maloney made another great save in the 84th minute at the feet of Austrian captain Julia Sabota, before being substituted for Irish no 16, Amanda Budden a minute later.
Ireland were undeterred however, and created more chances in the final stretch of the game when Gemma McGuinness was unlucky not to equalise in the 90th minute after a convincing shot narrowly went wide.
Speaking after the game, Women’s U19 Manager Dave Connell said, ‘This game was a great opportunity for girls on the fringe of the squad to nail down places ahead of next month’s games. I’m disappointed with the result, but we can take a lot from the performance, especially as we were missing so many key players through injury and senior call ups. The girls were unlucky not to nab a goal or two, but our main focus now is remaining injury free ahead of the Elite Phase.’
Next up Ireland will face Italy, Sweden and hosts Netherlands in their Elite Phase group from April 4 to 9.
Republic of Ireland: Jillian Maloney (GSA 95 Phoenix Red, USA), Grace Wright (Challenge FC, USA), Lauren Murphy (Cork Women’s FC), Chloe Mustaki (Peamount Utd), Ciara O’Connell (Cork Women’s FC), Emma Hansberry (c )(Castlebar Celtic), Sara Rowe (Castlebar Celtic), Kelly Halligan (Blackburn Rovers), Orlagh Nolan (Shamrock Rovers), Carys Johnson (Everton), Katie McCabe (Raheny Utd) Subs: Amy O’Connor (Cork Women’s FC) for Nolan (45’) Gemma McGuinness (Greencastle) for McCabe (45’) Jetta Berrill (Peamount Utd) for Halligan. (60’) Rebekah Carroll (Shamrock Rovers) for Mustaki (82’), Amanda Budden for Maloney (85’), Avril Brierley (St. Josephs) for Rowe (85’), Shaunagh Newman for Johnson (87’)
Austria: Manuela Zinsberger, Lisa Ehold, Mona-Sophie Kohn, Jelena Gatea, Sandra Hausberger, Jelena Prvulovic, Deniz Kuyucaklioglu, Julia Tabotta (c), Isabella Dujmenovic, Tina Charwat, Cornelia Sochor Subs: Franziska Sottner for Jelena Gatea (57’) Jessica Starchi for Isabella Dujmenovic (67’), Nina Schepis for Mona-Sophie Kohn (76’)
