Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar
Netherlands 2
France 2
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Hungary 0 - 4 Republic of Ireland
Ireland WU19: Payne double secures win in Elite Round opener
Dave Connell’s side struggled for chances in the opening half-hour, but took the lead on the half-hour mark. Heather Payne cut in from the right wing and ghosted past numerous Hungarian defenders before she was fouled in the box by Eszter Kovacs.
The WNT international stepped up to the penalty spot to give Ireland the lead by sending goalkeeper Anna Terestyenyi the wrong way.
Ireland’s lead doubled six minutes later. Lucia Lobato cut in from the left wing, and her cross caused havoc in the six-yard box, with Terestyenyi and Rahel Varadi both struggling to keep it out of the net, before Varadi inadvertently hit it in.
The three points were all assured with just over 20 minutes left on the clock. Niamh Reynolds’ cross was dropped by Terestyenyi and Payne converted from close range.
As the clock entered added-time, substitute Carla McManus took advantage of some sloppy Hungarian defending to score from inside the area.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Dave Connell said he was happy to start the Elite Round with a win.
“We know from past experiences that it can be difficult to qualify if you don't get anything out of the first game. Today’s win puts us in a good position. I’m delighted with the three points and the clean sheet.”
Connell stressed the importance of the 20-player squad in trying to qualify from the Elite Round. He was delighted with the goalscoring performance of Carla McManus in her 10 minutes on the pitch.
“I love a player with a point to prove. She came on and worked her own goal, by robbing the ball and putting it into the back of the net. We know it's going to take the 20-players to qualify.
Ireland return to Elite Round action on Saturday afternoon against Serbia.
Hungary: Anna Terestyenyi; Antonia Andre (Viktoria Bodai 46), Rahel Varadi, Laura Kovacs (capt), Alexandra Gyorik; Virag Nagy, Lily Farkas (Vivien Pintyre 71), Eszter Kovacs; Sara Pusztai, Brigitta Pulins, Fanni Vachter (Dora Dorner 71).
Republic of Ireland: Rachael Kelly; Rachel Baynes (Aoife Slattery 64), Sadhbh Doyle, Roisin McGovern, Lucia Lobato; Megan Mackey (capt), Tiegan Ruddy (Carla McManus 80), Niamh Reynolds; Heather Payne, Alannah McEvoy (Chloe Singleton 80), Michelle O’Driscoll (Kelly Brady 55).
Referee: Graziella Pirriatore (ITA).
Ireland WU19: McGovern set for Elite Round
Dave Connell's side are based in the north-west of Spain, and will play Hungary on Wednesday before games against Serbia and the hosts Spain.
Roisin McGovern (pictured above) is one of four DLR Waves players in the squad, and has starred for the Dublin side in their opening matches in this season's Só Hotels WNL.
McGovern is the latest player to feature in the FAI's Club and Country series, and speaking in Spain ahead of the side's opener, the centre-half revealed the team have prepared well and that the first training session on Spanish soil was a success.
"We're all raring to go for the Hungary match. We had some of the girls as part of the Elite Round squad last year, so the experience they have brought to the squad and the sessions has been great."
With games to come against Hungary, Serbia and the reigning champions Spain, McGovern knows the side face a tough task to qualify for July's Finals in Scotland.
"We have to take it game by game, and if we win both of our opening matches, we can then focus on Spain. We need to focus on the first game to have any chance of qualifying."
Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19 squad
Goalkeepers: Erica Turner (DLR Waves), Rachael Kelly (Shelbourne)
Defenders: Sadhbh Doyle (Galway WFC), Roisin McGovern (DLR Waves), Rachel Baynes (Galway WFC), Aoife Slattery (Wexford Youths), Leah Brady (Galway WFC), Katie Burdis (DLR Waves)
Midfielders: Lucia Lobato (Galway WFC), Megan Mackey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Singleton (Galway WFC), Tiegan Ruddy (CCSU), Sinead Donavan (Galway WFC)
Forwards: Alannah McEvoy (Shelbourne), Carla McManus (Kilkenny United), Kelly Brady (World Class), Heather Payne (Bristol City), Niamh Reynolds (Reading), Michelle O'Driscoll (Daytona State University), Keelin McEntee (DLR Waves).
UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship - Elite Round
03/04 - Hungary v Republic of Ireland, Campo Municipal de A Lomba, KO 13:00 (12:00 Irish time)
06/04 - Republic of Ireland v Serbia, Campo Municipal de A Lomb,. KO 13:00 (12:00 Irish time)
09/04 - Republic of Ireland v Spain, San Lázaro, Santiago de Compostela, KO 18:30 (17:30 Irish time)
Tactical Lineups
Hungary
Substitutes
- 12 Bettina Böröcz (G)
- 2 Bernadett Szabó
- 3 Ninetta Jánosi
- 7 Réka Csolti
- 13 Viktória Bódai
- 15 Dóra Dorner
- 17 Vivien Pintye
- 18 Viktória Vári
- 20 Viktória Ádám
Coach
Sándor Turtóczki
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 1 Erica Turner (G)
- 3 Katie Burdis
- 6 Chloe Singleton
- 12 Aoife Slattery
- 15 Carla McManus
- 17 Kelly Brady
- 18 Leah Brady
- 19 Sinead Donovan
- 20 Keelin Mcentee
Coach
David Connell
Officials
- Referee Graziella Pirriatore
- Assistant Referees Veronica Vettorel
- UEFA Delegate Tkach Ilona
- Assistant Referee Two Eliana Fernández González
- Fourth Official Elena Casal Fernández
- Referee Observer Snjezana Focic
Match Statistics
- Hungary
- Republic of Ireland
Minute by Minute Commentary