Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar
Netherlands 2
France 2
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Republic of Ireland 4 - 0 Serbia
Ireland WU19: Brady double helps defeat Serbia
Ireland broke the deadlock after 20-minutes. Midfielder Tiegan Ruddy (above, left) won the ball in midfield, and found herself in loads of space to score from 25-yards out. Her shot flew into the bottom-left corner, easily beating Sara Cetinja.
Serbia were unlucky not to equalise five-minutes later. Lana Colic’s shot hit the crossbar, and dropped into the six-yard box. After a goalmouth scramble, both Roisin McGovern and Sadhbh Doyle helped clear the ball.
Striker Kelly Brady (above, centre) was introduced at half-time and the substitution paid off when the striker doubled Ireland’s lead just before the hour-mark. Brady’s pace caused too much trouble for the Serbian defence, and she did brilliantly to finish a pass from Alannah McEvoy.
The three points were wrapped up in the final ten minutes when Megan Mackey’s (above, right) shot from outside the box flew into the top corner. The icing on the cake, came in added time when Brady scored her second to cap off a fine day.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Dave Connell was delighted with how the side performed, especially in the second-half.
“It was a great win. The first-half was very even, and we got a lovely goal that settled us. I thought our performance in the second-half was probably the best we ever played. Really, really brilliant. It sets us up nicely.”
The team go into Tuesday’s game against Spain in a strong position, and a draw may be enough to send the team to the Finals this July in Scotland.
Connell knows that they will have their work cut out against the reigning European champions.
“Spain are very good. We set out at the start, that we wanted a finale against Spain. I think we can beat them. The girls do too."
Republic of Ireland: Rachael Kelly, Rachel Baynes, Roisin McGovern, Sadhbh Doyle, Lucia Lobato (Katie Burdis 88); Tiegan Ruddy (Sinead Donovan 64), Megan Mackey (capt), Niamh Reynolds (Chloe Singleton 64); Heather Payne, Carla McManus (Kelly Brady 46), Alannah McEvoy (Keelin McEntee 88)
Serbia: Sara Cetinja; Andjela Krstic, Jovana Miladinovic, Dunja Mostarac, Andjela Frajtovic (capt); Milica Bulatovic, Ivana, Trbojevic, Emilija Zivkovic (Maja Ciric 56), Sara Savanovic (Biljana Ilic 72); Lana Colic, Nikolina Plavsic
Referee: Graziella Pirriatore (ITA)
Ireland WU19: Ruddy set for Serbian showdown
Ruddy (pictured above) hopes the team can replicate the performance in 2019 and reached the Finals of the UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship in Scotland.
"It would be amazing to qualify for Scotland. All of the girls are focused on that. We were such a tight group at Under-17 level and we had a real good buzz about the squad. We have that again this year. If we win tomorrow, it sets us up well for the Spanish game."
Ruddy started all three games in the Qualifying Round, scoring two goals, and started in last Wednesday's Elite Round win over Hungary.
The Kildare midfielder hopes that the experience of playing in last year's Elite Round in Cork can help the team this year, with the newcomers to the squad.
"Because I'm one of the senior players, I have more of a responsibility. It's a team effort though. We all have something to offer to the team," she said.
"Winning the Hungary game was key. Last year, we didn't get off to a great start and it set the tone. Everyone is buzzing here after the 4-0 win. We're all set for the next two games."
Ruddy is studying in the United States in Central Connecticut State University, and the standard of football Stateside has seen the midfielder improve her all-round game.
"The game is fast. I'm playing girls that are four-years older than me. It's brought me on physically. I'm stronger now that I ever was," she stated.
Serbia lost their opening Elite Round match 2-0 to Spain and Ruddy expects a tough test on Saturday.
"We played them at Under-17s two years ago in the Elite Round. It was a battle. They look very organised, but we have our own plans ready to counter-act what they'll do."
Head Coach Dave Connell confirmed that there is a clean bill of health in the squad with all 20 players in contention for selection.
The team return to action on Saturday afternoon at 12pm Irish time against Serbia.
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 0-4 Republic of Ireland
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
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
Coach
David Connell
Serbia
Substitutes
- 12 Jovana Petrović (G)
- 2 Nikolina Batinić
- 4 Dušica Petrović
- 14 Biljana Ilić
- 15 Maja Ćirić
- 16 Olja Ivanović
- 18 Marija Đurović
- 19 Andrijana Pejčić
- 20 Helena Host
Coach
Lidija Stojkanović
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 Galina Doneva
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Serbia
Minute by Minute Commentary