Scotland 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2017 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999943446

Senior Women's Friendlies , Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy

Friday, July 7, 2017

Scotland 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland

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REPORT: Scotland 1-0 WNT - Late header downs Ireland

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team suffered a narrow defeat to Scotland in their final game ahead of the 2019 World Cup qualification campaign.

7th Jul 2017

n a game of few chances, Ireland suffered an unlikely defeat after Christie Murray headed home in the final five minutes of the match, just Ireland’s second defeat of the year.

Colin Bell’s side never looked like conceding and in fact, Ireland could have gone ahead in the 25th minute. Katie McCabe did brilliantly to keep the ball alive on the left to cross for Diane Caldwell but her header was well blocked.

Scotland were limited to few chances, as they prepare for the European Championships this month, and when they did create, Marie Hourihan did brilliantly in goal.

Three minutes from the break, Scotland’s only clear chance of the half came as Erin Cuthbert headed towards the top corner but Hourihan got across her line brilliantly to deny her.

Ireland started on the front foot after the break and almost took the lead in the 55th minute. Megan Connolly found space in the centre of the park and after side-stepping the defender, unleashed a fierce effort towards the top left-hand corner but it went narrowly wide.

Ireland restricted the home side to few chances until five minutes from time when Murray headed home the only goal of the game. A left-sided cross found Christie Murray rushing in from the wing to direct a low header into the bottom corner.

Colin Bell’s side struggled to create any chances in the final moments of the game but he did hand an international debut to Peamount United’s Heather Payne in the final moments, a fantastic moment for the 17-year old.

Republic of Ireland WNT Head Coach Colin Bell said: “We played well but I’m so disappointed to lose that game, we shouldn’t be losing a game like that.

“It was a poor goal to concede in the final moments and we definitely deserved to get a draw out of the match. The players have come into the game from their holidays and Scotland have been in camp for weeks, but despite that, we should definitely be taking something from the match.

“We look towards that qualification campaign in September and know we can do more to improve. The players have improved since I’ve came in and I’m sure they’ll continue to do that before we start the campaign.”

Republic of Ireland: Hourihan (GK), Scott, Quinn (C), Caldwell, Perry, Duggan, O’Sullivan (Payne 90), Connolly (Kiernan 87), Campbell, O’Gorman, McCabe.

Subs not used: Budden (GK), McQuillan (GK), Fahey, Kavanagh, McLaughlin, Littlejohn, Beirne.

WNT: Quinn urges Ireland to get positive Scotland result

Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn believes the competition for places is a great thing ahead of the international friendly against Scotland tomorrow night.

6th Jul 2017

The WNT look to extend their impressive 2017 form against Scotland on Friday night, with kick-off at 7.30pm, at Stark’s Park, Kirkcaldy.

Colin Bell’s side have only lost one game in six games this year and have kept five clean sheets in the process, beating Slovakia, Czech Republic and Wales.

With the defence in such fine form and both Niamh Fahey and Megan Campbell returning to the international fold for the last game against Iceland, Quinn is delighted with the depth of defence.

Quinn said: “It’s been great to be part of a defence which has done so well over the last year. Colin has set-up us up not to concede and it is definitely working.

“We’re getting better with every game and everyone wants to be in the starting XI. The competition is great and to have Niamh and Megan back is great because we need all the help we can get.

“It feels like there is plenty of quality in defence at the moment and the more goals we can keep out, the better chance it will give us a chance to go up the other end and get ourselves a goal.”

Scotland are set to compete at the UEFA Women’s European Championships this month and will be heading to the tournament following tomorrow night’s game against Ireland.

With the 2019 World Cup qualification campaign beginning in September, Quinn believes there is plenty of motivation for the WNT to get another positive result.

The defender commented: “We’ve had a great year so far. We played Iceland last time out who will also be going to the European Championships and got a result in terrible conditions.

“I think in each game and camp we’ve been together, we’ve got better and get better understanding of the system the manager wants us to play.

“We’re really enjoying being in the team at the moment so we’re really determined to go and get a win which would set us up brilliantly for September. We all want to be in the starting XI for that game against Northern Ireland and with it being the last chance to impress before then, I’m sure everyone will be at their very best.”

Republic of Ireland WNT squad v Scotland

Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Manchester City), Amanda Budden (Cork City WFC), Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies).

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Reading WFC), Sophie Perry (Brighton and Hove Albion), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Arsenal Ladies), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea WFC), Megan Campbell (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Houston Dash), Megan Connolly (Florida State University), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic), Roma McLaughlin (Shelbourne Ladies), Alex Kavanagh (Shelbourne Ladies).

Forwards: Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies), Heather Payne (Peamount United), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies).

WNT: Colin Bell wants positives to continue v Scotland

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Head Coach Colin Bell believes Scotland poses the ‘toughest test’ of the year.

4th Jul 2017

Since taking over as Head Coach of the WNT, Bell has enjoyed a great run of form which has seen his side lose just once and keep five clean sheets in just six games.

The only defeat of the year came in the 3rd/4th place play-off in the Cyprus Cup to a Korea DPR side ranked 8th in the world and have claimed victories over Slovakia, Wales and Czech Republic.

Scotland are currently in preparation for the UEFA Women’s European Championships and the international friendly will be their final test before flying out to the Netherlands.

With the squad set to fly out on Wednesday for Friday’s match with kick-off at 7.30pm, Bell is aware of the challenge posed for the WNT.

“It is going to be really difficult for us, if not our toughest test yet since I took on the role,” the WNT Head Coach said.

“They’re currently preparing for the European Championships and they obviously did incredibly well to qualify for those Championships.

“But also, we’ve got players who are just coming into the squad from their holidays during the off-season so we need to make sure everyone is at the right level to go out there and perform.

“We’re also missing a couple of players but we’ve had some great performances and results this year and I really want to see the players take that spirit into Friday’s match.”

Striker Stephanie Roche and goalkeeper Emma Byrne have been ruled out of the squad to face Scotland but Houston Dash midfielder Denise O’Sullivan arrived into camp today.

With Ireland set to kick-off their 2019 World Cup qualification campaign in September against Northern Ireland, Bell wants to see his players take full use of the match.

“It’s really important we continue to work on what we’ve been doing in the previous matches this year and make those little improvements before the campaign starts in September,” Bell added.

“We’ve made some good progress this year and have been able to keep several clean sheets in our recent matches. However, I know the players can get to another level and playing opposition like Scotland will only help us do that.

“We want to go into that qualification campaign on a high so it’s really important we get a result but it won’t be easy. We’ll be looking at a few options leading upto the match but it’s another fixture I’m really looking forward to.”

Republic of Ireland WNT squad v Scotland

Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Manchester City), Amanda Budden (Cork City WFC), Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies).

Forwards: Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies), Heather Payne (Peamount United), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies).

WNT: Stephanie Roche ruled out of Scotland trip

Republic of Ireland striker Stephanie Roche has been ruled out of the international friendly against Scotland.

27th Jun 2017

The 28-year old forward suffered a hamstring injury in the final Women's Super League fixture of the season for Sunderland and missed the international friendly against Iceland on June 8th.

Roche has been working with the FAI medical staff to overcome the hamstring injury but despite making progress with the injury, she has been ruled out of the Scotland trip.

WNT Head Coach Colin Bell said: "On the advice of the medical staff, we've decided not to risk Stephanie for the trip to Scotland next week.

"Stephanie has worked really hard in her bid to recover from the injury. We don't want to take the risk of bringing her back too soon and aggrevating the injury further.

"She is a hugely important player for us as her recent goals record suggests and we will need her to be fit and available for the start of the 2019 World Cup qualification campaign in September.

"She will continue with her rehabilitation with the FAI medical staff ahead of the trip to Northern Ireland on September 19th."

There will be no replacement called up with WNT Head Coach Colin Bell set to travel to Scotland with a 20-player squad for the game on Friday, July 7th, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Republic of Ireland WNT squad v Scotland

Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Manchester City), Emma Byrne (Brighton and Hove Albion), Amanda Budden (Cork City WFC).

Forwards: Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies), Heather Payne (Peamount United), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies).

WNT: Bell names 21-player squad for Scotland trip

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Head Coach Colin Bell has named a 21-player squad for the international friendly against Scotland.

19th Jun 2017

The Women’s National Team face Scotland on Friday, July 7th, at Raith Rovers’ Stark Park ground in their final game before the 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign begins in September.

Celtic midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn returns to the squad as well as Shelbourne Ladies forward Leanne Kiernan who has recently recovered from hamstring injury.

Sunderland forward Stephanie Roche has been included in the squad but will face a fitness test having sustained a hamstring injury on the final day of the Women’s Super League Spring Series.

UCD forward Dearbhaile Beirne, Peamount United forward Heather Payne and Cork City WFC goalkeeper Amanda Budden all remain in the squad having impressed during the Iceland camp.

WNT Head Coach Colin Bell said: “It is the final game before we start our World Cup qualification campaign so it is important we continue to improve on the form we’ve shown this year.

“I was really impressed with the spirit and determination shown against a strong Iceland side in difficult conditions and I’ll be looking for the same qualities in Scotland for what should be another difficult test. Scotland are currently in a pre-European Championships camp whilst our players will be coming back from holiday.

“The individual responsibility of my players will be vital and I’ve every confidence that the players will be well prepared for the game.

“We’ve brought Ruesha Littlejohn back into the squad as well as Leanne Kiernan. We’ve got to assess Stephanie’s fitness ahead of the match considering her injury in the final game of the season and a decision will be made in due course.

“I’d also like to thank Houston Dash for making Denise O’Sullivan available for selection outside of the international window. “

Republic of Ireland WNT squad v Scotland

Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Manchester City), Emma Byrne (Brighton and Hove Albion), Amanda Budden (Cork City WFC).

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Reading WFC), Sophie Perry (Brighton and Hove Albion), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Arsenal Ladies), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea WFC), Megan Campbell (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Houston Dash), Megan Connolly (Florida State University), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic), Roma McLaughlin (Shelbourne Ladies), Stephanie Roche (Sunderland Ladies), Alex Kavanagh (Shelbourne Ladies).

Forwards: Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies), Heather Payne (Peamount United), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies).