Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 Iceland | 2017 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999943445

Senior Women's Friendlies | Tallaght Stadium , Dublin
Thursday, June 8, 2017

Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 Iceland

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REPORT: WNT 0-0 Iceland - Campbell returns in draw

Republic of Ireland kept their fifth clean sheet in six games as they were held by Iceland at Tallaght Stadium.
8th Jun 2017

In terrible conditions, Ireland had the better of the chances against Iceland, who are travelling to the European Championships next month, but couldn’t find the break-through.

Both teams had to adjust their touch on the Tallaght Stadium pitch in the early stages due to  the deluge overhead both pre-game and during the 90 minutes of play.

It was Ireland who adjusted better as the returning Megan Campbell, after a 15-month absence with a broken foot, provided most of Ireland’s threat from her destructive long-throws. On two occasions in the first 10 minutes, Ireland failed to capitalise as both Louise Quinn and Megan Connolly mis-timed their leaps.

The best chance of the first 45 minutes came in the 21st minute as Campbell turned from provider to threat. Aine O’Gorman’s corner found Campbell and after placing her header into the slippy surface, the keeper saved well.

Iceland’s first goal-scoring chance of the game came after the break and were brilliantly denied by Marie Hourihan. A Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir corner broke for Katrin Asbjornsdottir at the back-post who flicked the ball towards the top corner but she was brilliantly denied by Manchester City goalkeeper Hourihan in the 59th minute.

Five minutes later, Ireland should have gone ahead.  Again, another O’Gorman corner caused havoc in the six-yard area as the Icelandic keeper failed to collect and Diane Caldwell’s low header towards goal was cleared off the line.

Republic of Ireland Head Coach Colin Bell said: “I’m delighted with my players this evening. They showed tremendous spirit and levels of efforts to get the result tonight.

“The conditions were terrible so we couldn’t play what we wanted to play but the players did really well to adjust to the situation. In fact, in the entire 90 minutes, they only had one chance and that was in the final minute of the game.

“It was great to have Niamh Fahey and Megan Campbell on the pitch this evening. Two quality players and two positive personalities to add to the squad, and there definitely is plenty of competition for places.”

Teams

Republic of Ireland: Byrne (GK) (C) (Hourihan ’46), Perry, Scott, Quinn, Duggan, Caldwell, O’Gorman, Connolly (Fahey 72), O’Sullivan, Campbell (O’Riordan 80), McCabe.

Subs not used: Budden (GK), McLaughlin, Beirne, Kavanagh, Payne.

Iceland: Gunnarsdottir (GK) (Sigurdardottir ’46), Atladottir (Sigurdardottir ’46), Viggosdottir, Jonsdottir, Sigurdardottir, Gunnarsdottir (C), Gardarsdottir (Honnudottir 65), Gisladottir, Asbjornsdottir (Thorvaldsdottir 79), Albertsdottir, Fridriksdottir (Gudmundsdottir 67).

Subs not used: Thrainsdottir (GK), Pedersen, Vidarsdottir, Brynjarsdottir, Hauksdottir, Kristjansdottir.

Att: 862

Referee: Paula Brady (IRL)

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Cup winner Campbell relishing WNT return

Republic of Ireland defender Megan Campbell is looking forward to a return to international duty after a 15-month absence.
7th Jun 2017

The Manchester City defender has missed the last 15 months of international duty due to a broken foot injury she sustained against Austria in the Cyprus Cup in March 2016.

Having recently returned to the starting XI for her club side, Campbell could see her first taste of action since the appointment of Head Coach Colin Bell against Iceland tomorrow night at Tallaght Stadium.

The 23-year old defender hopes to get back on the pitch for the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night and is enjoying her new experience with Head Coach Bell.

Campbell said: “It has been a difficult year or so. It was a difficult injury to overcome and it’s been such a long time since I was last with the squad.

“I’ve enjoyed being back in the squad and I’m ready to be a part of it again. There are some new, old and young faces which is great and I’m really looking forward to the occasion.

“It’s been different working with Colin. I really hope working him and his different methods can improve me as a player and I’m sure he can help us kick on as a team.”

Following Campbell’s return from injury, the Drogheda-born defender played a crucial part in Manchester City’s Women’s FA Cup win, claiming two assists in a 4-1 final win over Birmingham City.

Having claimed five assists in her first three games back from injury, Campbell admits she didn’t expect to be able to get upto speed so quickly.

She added: “Honestly, Manchester City are a massive club and that is their mentality to win trophies but I really didn’t expect it.

“I didn’t think I’d be in the starting XI or the squad for the FA Cup final so it was a great feeling to be part of such a great occasion so soon after coming back.

“I think being injured has definitely made me stronger, physically and mentally, and I’m ready to bring that into the international side now. It’s a really good test for us tomorrow as they’re such a strong side but we need to use it well ahead of the World Cup qualifier.” 

MATCH INFO: The fixture against Iceland kicks-off at 7.30pm at Tallaght Stadium tomorrow evening, tickets priced at €5/€2 which can be purchased on the gate. A match-day programme, which features interviews with Claire O'Riordan and Louise Quinn, will be available for the cost of €2.

Duggan eyes qualification momentum v Iceland

Republic of Ireland midfielder Karen Duggan sees the Iceland contest as a crucial step on the way to the start of the 2019 World Cup qualification campaign.
6th Jun 2017

The WNT squad are currently preparing for the international friendly against Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday, June 8th, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Since Colin Bell took charge of the WNT, the side have only conceded in one of five games and have recorded wins over Wales, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The UCD Waves midfielder and the current Women’s Player of the Year Duggan believes Iceland could be their toughest test under Colin Bell yet, with the Icelandic side preparing for the European Championships in July.

Duggan said: “It is going to be a difficult game for us as they’ve got plenty of quality and we need to be at our very best throughout.

“We’re not really seeing it as a friendly. We want to carry on the form we’ve had this year and bring it into the World Cup qualification campaign.

“We’ve had some really good results which started at the Cyprus Cup in February and I really see an added determination about the squad now we’ve learnt our qualification opponents for the campaign.”

Ireland were drawn against Norway, Netherlands, Slovakia and Northern Ireland in their qualification group, a campaign which will begin in September.

With the campaign set to start with a trip to Northern Ireland, Duggan admitted there is plenty of anticipation for the campaign.

The 26-year old continued: “It’s going to be really special. I think all of us are really looking forward to starting the campaign but playing Northern Ireland will be great.

“You rarely get the opportunity to play a local derby at international level so it will be a great way to start the campaign.

“There is a real focus and it continues against Iceland on Thursday, and hopefully we can continue the recent progress.”

TICKETS: Tickets for the game on Thursday, June 8th, with kick-off at 7.30pm, will be on sale on the gate, priced at €5 adults/€2 concessions.

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