Czech Republic 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2018 - U17 Womens Friendlies | 999944113

Under-17 Women's Friendlies International Friendly, Czech Republic

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Czech Republic 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland

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Ireland WU17: Czech Republic claim narrow victory

Republic of Ireland WU17s suffered a narrow defeat to the Czech Republic in an International friendly.

6th Sep 2017

Subsititute Klara Cvrckova scored the only goal of the game in the second-half to seal the victory for the hosts with the second game between the two sides tomorrow.

Ireland had a number of chances as just before half-time, Shelbourne LFC striker Alannah McEvoy combined well with Andrea Trill down the right but put her effort narrowly wide of the post.

Czech Republic took the lead nine minutes into the second-half after Ireland failed to clear the ball properly and Cvrckova found the net from 25 yards to score the only goal of the game to give the Czechs the win.

Ireland continued to create chances in the second-half but couldn't find the equaliser and Republic of Ireland WU17 & WNT Head Coach Colin Bell was disappointed with the result.

Bell said: "The first-half was ok, we were well organised and had a number of good moments. We didn't allow them any space and definitely should have scored but you could tell that the team needed more time to gel.

"The second-half, we got scrappy and we made a bad mistake which lead to the goal. We could have avoided that so that was disappointing. There are plenty of positives though as there are plenty of new additions to the group and we had some great spells and attacked well.

"It was a typical first game together for the girls really as we took too long in possession at times so we need to get used to moving the ball quicker. I'm sure that will come as we've got another game on Friday so I'm sure we'll see that improve.

"It's a big step the team has to make up to this level but the potential is there for sure. We made four substitutions today so I won't be making wholesale changes for Saturday's match. We'll make changes but it won't be like ten changes as we want to try and give the team some stability.

"We need to keep the core of the team together as match practice is key but that's the good thing about having two matches as we can give most players a decent run."

The WU17s have another game against Czech Republic on Saturday which will be their final game before their 2018 European Championships qualifying campaign starts against Romania, Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Republic of Ireland WU17 side: Kelly (GK), Lobato (Foley 41), O'Mahony, McGovern, Fahey, Mackey (C), Whelan (Trill 41), Ziu (Masterson 70), McEvoy, Fowler (Boyle Carr 63), Atkinson.

Republic of Ireland WU17 Squad

Goalkeepers: Rachel Kelly (Shelbourne LFC), Courtney Maguire (Cabinteely).

Defenders: Eabha O'Mahony (Lakewood), Roisin McGovern (UCD Waves), Leah Brady (Lucan United), Niamh Murphy Halstead (Home Farm), Rachel O'Regan (Carrigaline)

Midfielders: Doireann Fahey (Peamount United), Isibeal Atkinson (Shelbourne LFC), Megan Mackey (Chelsea), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne LFC), Lucia Lobato (Galway WFC), Aoife Slattery (Ferrybank), Ciara Fowler (Home Farm).

Attackers: Alannah McEvoy (Shelbourne LFC), Zara Foley (Lakewood), Amy Doyle Carr (Sion Swifts), Louise Masterson (Peamount United), Emily Whelan (Shelbourne), Andrea Trill (Cregmore Galway).

Ireland WU17: Czech double-header begins tomorrow

Republic of Ireland WU17 side are set to begin their preparations for their 2018 European Championships qualifying campaign with back-to-back friendlies against the Czech Republic.

5th Sep 2017

The Ireland WU17's enjoyed a successful campaign last year, qualifying for the 2017 UEFA Women's U17 European Championships in the Czech Republic in May, amongst the eight best sides in Europe.

WNT Head Coach Colin Bell leads the side into this year's campaign with a number of players from last year's campaign continuing their progression in the WU17s.

Shelbourne LFC trio Alannah McEvoy, Isibeal Atkinson and Jessica Ziu remain in the squad from last year's campaign whilst recent UCD Waves signing Roisin McGovern also remains with the WU17s.

Shelbourne goalkeeper Rachel Kelly takes up the No.1 spot for the campaign whilst recent Galway WFC signing Lucia Lobato comes into the squad after impressive displays for the Galway & District League in the 2017 FAI Gaynor Tournament.

The fixtures will provide the perfect preparation for the upcoming trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina where they will face the hosts, Greece and Romania in their first qualifying round Group 4 matches.

WNT & WU17 Head Coach Colin Bell said: "This is an exciting time for the squad on the eve of a new qualifying campaign.

"I was with the team for the European Championships in May and they really impressed me which was shown by recent call-ups to the WNT squad for Heather Payne and Tyler Toland.

"Whilst a number of players will be continuing their time with the WU17s this season, we're also welcoming a number of new players to the squad who have already impressed for the WU16 side and in the Gaynor Tournament.

"They will be two tough games, Czech Republic gained plenty of valuable experience from competing in the WU17 European Championships in May and will give us perfect preparation before beginning our qualifying campaign at the end of the month."

Republic of Ireland WU17 Squad

Goalkeepers: Rachel Kelly (Shelbourne LFC), Courtney Maguire (Cabinteely).

Defenders: Eabha O'Mahony (Lakewood), Roisin McGovern (UCD Waves), Leah Brady (Lucan United), Niamh Murphy Halstead (Home Farm), Rachel O'Regan (Carrigaline)

Attackers: Alannah McEvoy (Shelbourne LFC), Zara Foley (Lakewood), Amy Doyle Carr (Sion Swifts), Louise Masterson (Peamount United), Emily Whelan (Shelbourne), Andrea Trill (Cregmore Galway).