Republic of Ireland 3-1 Slovakia
Louise Quinn, 45           Susková 4
Susan Hackett, 60
Zoe Doherty, 90+3

The Republic of Ireland women’s U19 side had to come from a goal down in their opening game of the UEFA championship qualifiers against Slovakia but ran out 3-1 winners against a battling Slovak side.

Irish captain, Louise Quinn drew the sides level with a spectacular free-kick after the Irish went behind in the 4th minute. Susan Ronan’s substitutes proved highly effective as both Susan Hackett and Zoe Doherty who came on in the second half proved to be the match winners for the Irish with goals in the 60th and 90th minute respectively.

Slovakia took the lead after only four minutes when Jana Vojteková made a darting run through the Irish defence and she cleverly cut the ball back to Lucia Susková who slotted the ball past Sinead Crotty from six yards out.

Irish left-back, Megan proved to be a big attacking threat from her long throws on the right and Amy Ryan almost took advantage after 25 minutes when she latched on to Campbells throw from 15 yards out but her effort was well saved by the keeper.

Lucia Susková almost had her second after 27 minutes when she ran onto a pass on the right hand side and she hammered the ball towards goal but Crotty was on hand to paw her effort around the post for a corner.

Irish captain, Louise Quinn equalized for the Irish on the stroke of half time with a spectacular free-kick from 30 yards out. Her powerful strike went over the Slovak wall and dipped under the post, giving the Slovak keeper no chance.

Salthill Devon’s Rebecca Walsh came to Ireland’s rescue after 54 minutes as the ever-dangerous Susková made space for herself in the box and shot under the body of Sinead Crotty but Walsh was on hand to clear the goal-bound effort off the line.

The Irish were in front on the hour mark through the boot of substitute, Susan Hackett. The ball was swung in from a corner on the right hand side by Megan Campbell and following a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Hackett who powered her shot through a mass of bodies and into the back of the net.

Slovakian substitute, Rybárová almost grabbed an equalizer after 85 minutes when she snapped at a breaking ball just inside the Irish box, her effort just grazed the Irish crossbar much to the relief of the Irish defence.

Deep into injury time, Ireland grabbed their third through substitute, Zoe Doherty. Megan Campbell swung in another corner from the right hand side and Doherty was on hand to blast the ball into the net after a scramble in the box.

In today’s other game, elite qualifying hosts, Germany overpowered Russia by a score line of 4-0 to put them top of Group 4 with a superior goal difference. Ireland will now face Russia on Saturday (April 25th) and Germany on Tuesday (April 28th) to battle for the one available place at the UEFA Championship Finals in Belarus this summer.

Republic of Ireland
Sinead Crotty - Connecticut Utd. FC
Karen Duggan - Piltown FC
Louise Quinn - Peamount FC (C)
Niamh Mulcahy - Aisling Annacotty
Amanda Parkes - Wilton Utd.
Rebecca Walsh - Salthill Devon
Amy Ryan - Stella Maris
Gillian McDonnell - Dundalk City WFC
Ciara Grant - Lagan Harps
Lillie Billson - Arsenal FC
Megan Campbell - St. Francis

Substitutes
Aisling Dyer – Stella Maris
Susan Hackett - Stella Maris (on for Grant, 50 mins)
Anna McCormack - Salthill Devon
Niamh Nolan - St. Francis
Ciara O’Brien - Tramore AFC (on for McDonnell, 88 mins)
Zoe Doherty - Cardonagh (on for Ryan, 71 mins)
Lucy Hannon – Salthill Devon

UEFA Championship – Elite Qualifying Phase fixtures
Thursday, April 23rd
Republic of Ireland 3-1 Slovakia
Heilbronn Stadium

Saturday, April 25th
Russia v Republic of Ireland
Walldorf Stadium
Kick-off: 2.45pm (local time)

Tuesday, April 28th
Germany v Republic of Ireland
Viernheim
Kick-off: 11.00am (local time)