Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar
Netherlands 2
France 2
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Austria
REPORT: Noonan on target in draw with Austria
Saoirse Noonan’s towering header at the beginning of the second half cancelled out a stunning finish from Austria’s Johanna Schneider and was enough to see Ireland begin life in Group 4 with a point.
Austria began the game the better side and they twice went close to grabbing the lead early on but both Johanna Schneider and Laura Krumbock failed to trouble goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon.
Ireland threatened to grab an opener in the 20th minute but after forcing a succession of corners, Shelbourne Ladies midfielder Tiegan Ruddy drove her effort well over the target.
And almost immediately following Ireland’s best spell in the match, Austria charged up the other end and broke the deadlock with Schneider finding the far bottom left corner with a superb lob from the edge of the box.
Austria finished the half strongly but they were punished for not taking their opportunities at the beginning of the second 45 as Noonan levelled terms, powering her header home at the back post from a corner shortly after the restart.
Both sides pressed for a winner and Lauryn O’Callaghan went closest for Ireland late on but after being played in by Noonan, the defender’s thunderous shot was saved by goalkeeper Milena Zink.
Next up for the U-19’s is a tough fixture against Spain at Turner’s Cross on Thursday evening.
Ireland Head Coach Dave Connell said: "First half we showed a little bit of nervousness and probably Austria shaded it without really dominating it. They caught us on the break for our own set-play so that was disappointing.
"We re-grouped at half-time, had a good chat and changed the formation slightly and I thought we dominated the second half which shows great testament to the character of the girls. Overall, we're a little bit disappointed we didn't win but we'll settle for the draw and it keeps us in the group.
"I think the character the team showed and the belief that's in the squad is something they can take into the next game."
Republic of Ireland: Naoisha McAloon; Lynn Craven, Niamh Farrelly, Sadhbh Doyle, Chloe Singleton; Alex Kavanagh, Tiegan Ruddy, Saoirse Noonan; Megan Mackey (Orla Casey 89), Alannah McEvoy (Naima Chemaou 57), Sinead Donovan (Lauryn O’Callaghan 57).
Austria: Milena Zink; Laura Wienroither, Magdalena Bachler, Laura Krumbock (Maileen Mossner 59), Yvonne Weilharter; Besijana Pireci, Melanie Brunnthaler, Lena Kovar, Katharina Fellhofer; Julia Mak, Johanna Schneider (Jana Scharnbock 66).
Referee: Justina Lavrenovaite (Lithuania).
WU19: Connell's squad ready for Austria test
The talented squad will take on Austria in Turner's Cross at 15:00 to set in motion what Head Coach Dave Connell hopes will a successful start to the final leg of qualifying for this year's tournament.
Connell does not have any injury concerns, which makes his job even more difficult to select a starting line-up from a roster made up of players who have impressed in the Emerging Talent Programme, Fota Island Resort Gaynor Tournament, and Continental Tyres Women's National League.
One of those to stand out has been Cork City WFC playmaker Saoirse Noonan. The fleet-footed attacker was part of Connell's U-17 squad that reached the European Finals in Iceland in 2015 and now wants to lead the U19s all the way.
Noonan - who appeared in the Club & Country video series - believes home advantage could be a key factor as each of Ireland's games against Austria, Turkey and Spain are in Cork. But they need to get off to a good start.
"I think it's every girl's dream to go to the finals and it's motivating the players that haven't been there to get there and experience that. That's where we want to be," Noonan told FAI TV.
"It's three tough teams. We went over and played Turkey two years ago and beat them 3-0 but I think they are going to be tough. Spain are the reigning champions so they are going to be our biggest task but we're going to focus on our first game and that's what's on our minds now.
"People in Cork always support soccer. Hopefully we can get a good crowd out and they can all come support us and put us through to the end."
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Republic of Ireland WU19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Naoisha McAloon (Peamount United), Erica Turner (UCD Waves)
Defenders: Niamh Farrelly, Lauryn O’Callaghan (Peamount United), Danielle Burke (Cork City), Sadbh Doyle (Galway WFC), Tiegan Ruddy (Shelbourne Ladies)
Midfielders: Chloe Singleton, Sinead Donavon (Galway WFC), Alex Kavanagh, Lynn Craven (Shelbourne Ladies), Megan Mackey (Chelsea), Phobhe Warner (Aston Villa), Orla Casey (Wexford Youths WFC)
Forwards: Saoirse Noonan (Cork City WFC), Aoife Thompson, Lucia Lobato (Galway WFC), Kate Mooney, Alannah McEvoy (Shelbourne Ladies), Naima Chemaou (UCD Waves)
2017/18 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships Elite Round Fixtures
April 2: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Turners Cross, 15:00
April 5: Spain v Republic of Ireland, Turners Cross, 19:00
April 8: Turkey v Republic of Ireland, Turners Cross, 14:00
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Erica Turner (G)
- 2 Lauryn O'Callaghan
- 13 Danielle Burke
- 14 Phoebe Warner
- 15 Lucia Lobato
- 17 Naima Chemaou
- 18 Kate Mooney
- 19 Aoife Thompson
- 20 Orla Casey
Coach
David Connell
Austria
Substitutes
- 21 Vanessa Kuttner (G)
- 2 Jasmin Fiebiger
- 5 Stefanie Schneeberger
- 6 Maileen Mössner
- 9 Carina Widauer
- 12 Chiara Schaub
- 17 Jana Sachs
- 19 Jana Scharnböck
- 20 Miriam Grgic
Coach
Michael Steiner
Officials
- Referee Justina Lavrenovaite
- Assistant Referees Irina Pozdejeva
- UEFA Delegate Ewa Gajewska
- Assistant Referee Two Elena Alistratova
- Fourth Official Elvira Nurmustafina
- Referee Observer Ilonka Milanova Djaleva
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Austria
Minute by Minute Commentary