Republic of Ireland 1
New Zealand 1
Netherlands 1
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Serbia 1 - 1 Republic of Ireland
Women’s U17s win group in Serbia
Having already qualified for the Elite Phase following wins over Lithuania and Romania, Dave Connell’s side secured with ease the point they required to win the group.
Derbhaile Byrne fired them into the lead after 33 minutes when Courtney Higgins released Sarah McKeviitt down the right and she whipped in a low cross which was turned home by Byrne.
After being tested very little in the first two games, Ireland goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan found herself much busier and made a string of good saves to keep the Serbians at bay but she was left helpless in the 54th minute when substitute Marija Kovačević, with virtually her first touch of the ball, took advantage of hesitancy to nip in and equalise.
Both sides had chances after that to win the game but in the end the draw suited both teams with Irish topping the group and the Serbs securing the runners-up position and the second qualifying spot.
“The conditions today were awful and the game was in doubt right up until the kick-off because of the heavy rain we had,” said Connell. “We could have been out of sight by half-time had we taken the chances we created but we scored a good goal and we a little unlucky with the one we conceded.
“It’s never easy to come to Serbia so to win the group is special especially as three of the teams here were in the Elite Phase last year and Lithuania are pretty good also. The girls have worked very hard this week and fully deserved to win the group. We can now look forward to the draw in November and take it from there.”
Skipper Jamie Finn sat out today’s came with Evelyn Daly taking over the captain’s armband and Niamh Farrelly moving from midfield to partner Chloe Moloney in the heart of the Irish defence while Saoirse Noonan returned after missing the Romania game through injury.
Serbia: Tanja Djapić (GK), Milana Golubović (Marija Pavlović 80), Isidora Vučković (Marija Kovačević 52), Tijana Djuriček (C), Marina Bradić, Viktorija Mišeljić, Allegra Poljak, Aleksandra Marković, Tijana Filipović, Sanja Ivošević, Teodora Burkert.
Republic of Ireland: Amanda McQuillan (GK) Lauryn O'Callaghan, Niamh Farrelly, Chloe Moloney, Niamh Prior (Lucy McCartan 73); Evelyn Daly (C), Courtney Higgins, Saoirse Noonan; Sarah McKevitt, Danielle Murray (Eleanor Doyle 62), Dearbhaile Beirne (Fiona Donnolly 52).
Referee: Virginie Derouaux (Belguim)
RESULTS
UEFA WU17 Championships Qualifying Round Group 4
Friday, October 17: Republic of Ireland 2 Lithuania 0, Serbia 1 Romania 1
Sunday, October 19: Republic of Ireland 2 Romania 0, Lithuania 1 Serbia 4
Wednesday, October 22: Romania 3 Lithuania 3, Serbia 1 Republic of Ireland 1
Irish U17 Women looking for top spot in Serbia
The Irish girls secured qualification for the Elite Phase on Sunday when they followed up their 2-0 win over Lithuania with a 2-0 victory over Romania and they are now hoping to make it three wins from three when they play hosts Serbia tomorrow in Subotica,
“We came here looking for three wins, even if they were only 1-0 wins. It is very important for us to get the nine points. There is no pressure on us now because we have qualified but we want to top the group,” said Finn who was part of the U17 Women’s squad that qualified for the Elite Phase last season in Russia.
“We know Serbia are a good team who like to pass the ball and work hard but they need a point to qualify so the pressure is on them. We are going out there to show them what we can do and get three wins out of three.”
For Finn it’s been a hugely significant week as the win over Lithuania, where she was one of the scorers in a 2-0 win, marked her return to action after a four month lay-off with a stress fracture that also saw her miss out on Shelbourne’s FAI Women’s U16 Final victory over Peamount United and the Irish U19s journey to the semi-finals of the European Championships in Norway.
“To be out for four months and then to be playing for your country in your first match back was a great feeling. But to also be captain for the first time and to also score my first international goal made it very special. I was surprised when Dave asked me to be captain. There is a lot of responsibility as captain but you have to enjoy it and try and be a leader on and off the pitch,” said Finn.
Manager Dave Connell paid tribute to Finn, for the way she has battled back from injury.
“Our medical team put a recovery plan together for her and she has done everything she has told to do. We have monitored her closely and she has shown what a great attitude she had. She has definitely come back stronger,” said Connell.
Finn along with Evelyn Daly and Courtney Higgins sat out training today as they recover from niggles but Saoirse Noonan, who missed the Romania game, and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, who came off at half-time with a knock, both took a full part in training.
Substitute goalkeeper Nadine Ryan is the only player who hasn’t yet tasted action and Connell hopes to give her a run at some stage tomorrow.
“We’ve looking at getting her some game-time and giving some of the others who haven’t played too many minutes a run as well. We came here looking for three wins and that is still the plan even though a draw will be enough to guarantee us top spot. It’s not in our make-up to go looking for a draw.
“Serbia are a good team and can’t afford to lose tomorrow. They play good football and are very dangerous going forward so we are expecting a tough game,” said Connell.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD: Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne), Courtney Higgins (Shelbourne), Dearbhaile Beirne (Shelbourne), Jamie Finn (Shelbourne), Nadine Ryan (Shelbourne), Sophie Watters (Shelbourne), Fiona Donnelly (Shelbourne), Eleanor Ryan-Doyle (Peamount United), Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Lauryn O'Callaghan (Peamount United), Lucy McCartan (Peamount United), Danielle Murray (Peamount United), Niamh Prior (St Joseph's), Evelyn Daly (Lakewood), Saoirse Noonan (Douglas Hall), Sarah McKevitt (Peake Villa), Chloe Maloney (Connolly Celtic), Aislinn Meaney (LIfford).
DETAILS
UEFA WU17 Championships Qualifying Round Group 4
RESULTS
Friday, October 17: Republic of Ireland 2 Lithuania 0, Serbia 1 Romania 1
Sunday, October 19: Republic of Ireland 2 Romania 0, Lithuania 1 Serbia 4
FIXTURES
Wednesday, October 22
Romania v Lithuania, Gradski, Subotica (SRB), 1pm (Irish time)
Serbia v Republic of Ireland, Backa, Subotica (SRB), 1pm (Irish time)
Tactical Lineups
Serbia
Substitutes
- 12 Milica Petković (G)
- 9 Marija Kovačević
- 11 Milana Knežević
- 13 Marija Pavlović
- 15 Andjela Kričak
- 16 Nevena Mičić
- 17 Jovana Kostadinović
Coach
Goran Sretenović
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Nadine Maher (G)
- 4 Jamie Finn
- 10 Eleanor Ryan-Doyle
- 12 Lucy Mccartan
- 13 Sophie Watters
- 14 Fiona Donnolly
- 18 Aislinn Meaney
Coach
David Connell
Officials
- Referee Virginie Derouaux
- Assistant Referees Tina Tyteca
- UEFA Delegate Anna Bordiugova
- Assistant Referee Two Alena Karas
- Fourth Official Irina Turovskaya
- Referee Observer Milovan Nikolic
Match Statistics
- Serbia
- Republic of Ireland
Minute by Minute Commentary