
Republic of Ireland 0 - 5 England

REPORT: Ireland 0-5 England - WU17s lose opener

Dave Bell’s side suffered a 5-0 defeat as goals from Poppy Pattinson, Bethany May O’Donnell, Jessica Ngunga, Lauren Hemp and Nicole Douglas sealed a convincing win for a strong England side.
Ireland were made to rue the missed chances they had in the game, none better than 20 seconds into the match when Alannah McEvoy broke free after a defensive error but her shot was well saved by Hannah Hampton.
After Ireland went behind in the ninth minute, they continued to create chances as Isibeal Atkinson hit the cross-bar from 25 yards out, which had Hampton beaten.
Just after the half-hour, Ireland should have drawn level once again as a right-sided corner found Carla McManus free in the area but she could only direct her header a yard wide of the target.
A quick-fire double had England 3-0 up at the break and they pressed home their advantage in the second-half with Hemp’s back-post finish making it 4-0 just after half-time.
Ireland struggled to create chances in the second period as Douglas’ neat finish rounded off the scoring in the 64th minute.
WU17s Head Coach Dave Bell said: “We’re really disappointed. The goals were really poor goals to concede from our perspective and I know we can do better than that.
“We should have gone ahead in the first-half and most definitely should have gone in at half-time level, but we’ve given them to soft goals right at the end of the first-half and the game is out of reach.
“To be fair, England dominated in the second-half but we had plenty of chances in the first-half and matched them up in many areas. We’ve got to look at why we conceded those goals ahead of the Norway game.
“The girls are obviously down at the moment after a defeat like that but they’ve shown an excellent mentality before and they’ve got to pick themselves back up to go again. Just because we lost the first game doesn’t mean we’re out of the competition by any means.”
Republic of Ireland WU17 Squad
Goalkeepers: Erica Turner (UCD Waves), Rachael Kelly (Shelbourne LFC)
Defenders: Isibeal Atkinson (Enniskerry), Doireann Fahey (Peamount United), Sadhbh Doyle (Galway WFC), Eabha O'Mahony (Lakewood), Roisin McGovern (Enniskerry), Lauryn Grier (Kentstown Rovers)
Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Maiden City), Megan Mackey (Chelsea LFC), Tiegan Ruddy (Shelbourne LFC), Aisling Spillane (Peamount United), Orla Casey (Evergreen), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne LFC), Phoebe Warner (West Bromwich Albion)
Forwards: Alannah McEvoy (Enniskerry), Carla McManus (Peamount United), Heather Payne (Peamount United)
Republic of Ireland WU17s tournament fixture schedule
2 May, 2017: Republic of Ireland 0-5 England, KO 11.00, Na Litavce, Pribram (CZE)
5 May, 2017: Republic of Ireland v Norway, KO 11.00, Doosan Arena, Plzen (CZE)
8 May 2017 - Netherlands v Republic of Ireland, KO 14.00, Domazlice Stadium, Domazlice (CZE)
WU17: Doyle determined ahead of England opener
Dave Bell's squad start their UEFA Women's Under-17s European Championships campaign tomorrow at 11am (10am GMT) against England at Na Litavce Stadium, Pribram.
In a group which consists of Netherlands, Norway, England and Ireland, competition is going to be tough to claim a top-two spot and qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
The Galway WFC defender Doyle believes the Irish squad are more than strong enough to challenge the top teams in Europe and are really focused on claiming a vital three points.
Doyle said: "It definitely adds something extra to the occasion when we play England. It's a big game for them and us because it is the first of the tournament.
"I don't think we're underdogs. We came through a tough elite round stage which shows the talent we have in the squad and I'm confident we can do really well here.
"We've done really well to get to this stage of the European Championships but we can definitely keep going and cause any team out here at the tournament problems."
The group flew out to the Czech Republic on Thursday to fit in extra preparation on the training pitch and are based in Plzen, Czech Republic throughout the tournament.
Doyle admitted she and the group are enjoying the UEFA European Championships atmosphere and believes it is a great experience for her and the players.
She continued: "I've really enjoyed it so far. We've already been able to get a number of good training sessions in already which has really helped.
"Dave (Bell) is a really good coach and everyone is looking really sharp ahead of the first game so that can only be a good thing.
"It's important we enjoy the tournament but also learn from it and make sure we develop as players because to be at a European Championships is a great achievement for anyone."
Republic of Ireland WU17 Squad
Goalkeepers: Erica Turner (UCD Waves), Rachael Kelly (Shelbourne LFC)
Defenders: Isibeal Atkinson (Enniskerry), Doireann Fahey (Peamount United), Sadhbh Doyle (Galway WFC), Eabha O'Mahony (Lakewood), Roisin McGovern (Enniskerry), Lauryn Grier (Kentstown Rovers)
Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Maiden City), Megan Mackey (Chelsea LFC), Tiegan Ruddy (Shelbourne LFC), Aisling Spillane (Peamount United), Orla Casey (Evergreen), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne LFC), Phoebe Warner (West Bromwich Albion)
Forwards: Alannah McEvoy (Enniskerry), Carla McManus (Peamount United), Heather Payne (Peamount United)
Republic of Ireland WU17s tournament fixture schedule
2 May, 2017: Republic of Ireland v England, KO 11.00, Na Litavce, Pribram (CZE)
5 May, 2017: Republic of Ireland v Norway, KO 11.00, Doosan Arena, Plzen (CZE)
8 May 2017 - Netherlands v Republic of Ireland, KO 14.00, Domazlice Stadium, Domazlice (CZE)
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Rachael Kelly (G)
- 2 Eabha O'Mahony
- 7 Aisling Spillane
- 13 Phoebe Warner
- 14 Orla Casey
- 18 Jessica Ziu
Coach
David Bell
England
Substitutes
- 13 Emily Ramsey (G)
- 2 Meg Boydell
- 8 Miriael Taylor
- 9 Gabriella Lucie Ravenscroft
- 15 Olivia Smith
- 16 Ella Rutherford
Coach
John Griffiths
Officials
- Referee Galiya Echeva
- Assistant Referees Vanessa Gomes
- UEFA Delegate Aleksandra Pejkovska
- Assistant Referee Two Anastassiya Akimova
- Fourth Official Meliz Özçiğdem
- Referee Observer Katarzyna Wierzbowska
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- England
Minute by Minute Commentary