Wales 0 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2018 - Senior Womens Friendlies | 999944967

Senior Women's Friendlies International Friendly | Estadio Municipal de Marbella, Marbella, Spain

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Wales 0 - 0 Republic of Ireland

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Ireland WNT: Impressive draw against Wales

Republic of Ireland Women's National Team secured an impressive draw against Wales.

28th Feb 2019

Leanne Kiernan and Amber Barrett had the best chances of the game at the Marbella Football Centre in an entertaining 0-0 draw.

Megan Campbell started her first game for Ireland since October 2017, the 2-0 victory over Slovakia, and Leanne Kiernan returned after missing the Belgium friendly due to injury.

Ireland were the better side throughout the first-half with a number of chances as captain Katie McCabe fired narrowly wide after a great run from Kiernan in the 10th minute.

The famous Campbell long-throw was a constant threat for Ireland and it almost created a goal for Colin Bell's side with five minutes remaining in the half. From the right, Campbell arrowed a throw towards Louise Quinn who flicked the ball narrowly over the bar.

Minutes later, Campbell was taken off as a precaution on her international return, replaced by Claire O'Riordan. Peamount United striker Amber Barrett was also introduced after the break and should have put Ireland ahead in the 67th minute.

The impressive Denise O'Sullivan turned and threaded a wonderful pass through to Barrett who raced on goal but under pressure from the goalkeeper Claire Skinner, she placed the ball narrowly wide.

The Donegal-native was in the action once again with just two minutes left on the clock. She held the ball up brilliantly for O'Sullivan who placed captain McCabe in behind, but after she turned inside and out, she shot narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

The match finished goalless with the second international friendly between the two sides set to take place on Tuesday, March 5 in Marbella, Spain.

"I thought it was a really intensive match with both sides going for the victory," said WNT Head Coach Colin Bell.

"We had to settle in the first-half and had some great aspects to our play, but I thought we dominated the second-half and should have won the game in the end. We created some great openings but couldn't get the goal our play deserved.

"The players have put in an extraordinary amount of effort throughout the game, especially with the heat, so overall I'm really happy with the result. Wales are second seeds in their group so we're testing ourselves and playing well against these sides.

"We kept a clean sheet and we go into Tuesday's match obviously looking to win the game but knowing what we've got to work on to get the result. We'll recover and do the work in training, especially on our set pieces, and go again Tuesday."

Republic of Ireland: Marie Hourihan (GK), Megan Connolly, Louise Quinn, Megan Campbell (Claire O'Riordan 42), Heather Payne, Harriet Scott, Niamh Fahey, Tyler Toland, Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe (C), Leanne Kiernan (Amber Barrett 58).

Wales: Claire Skinner (GK), Gemma Evans, Sophie Ingle (C), Angharard James (Kylie Nolan 54), Kayleigh Green, Jessica Fishlock, Natasha Harding, Cori Williams (Rhiannon Roberts 71), Hayley Ladd, Ffion Morgan (Loren Dykes 37), Emma Jones (Grace Horrell 54).

Result - International Friendly
28/02: Wales 0-0 Republic of Ireland, Marbella Football Centre

Fixture - International Friendly
05/03: Wales v Republic of Ireland, Estadio Municipal de Marbella, 12pm (1pm local time)

Ireland WNT: Campbell ready for international return

Republic of Ireland Women's National Team defender Megan Campbell is relishing life back in the international set-up ahead of tomorrow's international friendly against Wales.

27th Feb 2019

The 25-year old was named in Colin Bell's 20-player squad for the friendly double-header in Marbella, Spain for the first-time since October 2017.

During a UEFA Women's Champions League match for Manchester City against LSK Kvinner FK in November 2017, Campbell suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The injury kept her out until the start of this month when she made her comeback against Watford in the FA Women's Cup.

Now back in the WNT squad, Campbell is determined to take advantage of the opportunity in the two friendly matches against Wales.

"It's fantastic to be back. It's been a really long road to get here and ready to get back to representing club and country now," she said.

"I've had a lot of ups and downs. There were a lot of lonely days in the gym and having to get over the injury both physically and mentally has been extremely difficult.

"It was always great to have contact from Colin during my injury lay-off as he always made sure I felt involved which was really important for me and I can't wait to get back playing now. It was really difficult to watch the rest of the campaign in Norway and the Netherlands but I'm ready to kick on now."

Ireland found out their UEFA 2021 European Championships qualifying opponents last week as they face Germany, Ukraine, Greece and Montenegro in Group I.

With the opponents now confirmed, Drogheda native Campbell believes it puts an extra importance of the performances in the upcoming friendly matches.

She added: "They're going to be two tough games against a really good Wales side. They're second seeds in their group and it is always a really good game between us two.

"I've been really impressed with the training sessions, we're really moving the ball well and I feel as though the quality has definitely gone up since I was last in. Knowing who is in the group now definitely puts some extra importance on getting the results we need.

"We want to go into qualifying in September full of confidence and belief that we can qualify for a European Championships so we need to make sure we're at our best. I can't wait personally, I just want to be back out there."

TEAM NEWS: Defender Diane Caldwell is a doubt for the first international friendly match against Wales through injury.

Republic of Ireland WNT squad v Wales
Goalkeeepers: Marie Hourihan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (Le Harve)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Louise Quinn (Arsenal), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Heather Payne (Bristol City), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Claire O'Riordan (MSV Duisberg), Megan Campbell (Manchester City), Eabha O'Mahony (Cork City)
Midfielders: Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Tyler Toland (Kildrum Tigers), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (Peamount United), Leanne Kiernan (West Ham United), Emily Whelan (Shelbourne), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)

Fixtures - International Friendlies
28/02: Wales v Republic of Ireland, Marbella Football Centre, 3pm (4pm local time)
05/03: Wales v Republic of Ireland, Estadio Municipal de Marbella, 12pm (1pm local time)