The Ireland Girls' Under-16 kicked off 2026 with a 2-0 victory over Portugal in an International Friendly in the Estádio Municipal da Póvoa de Varzim.

Substitutes Mia Whelan and Halle Harcourt netted one apiece to seal a deserved win in the first of two games against the same opponent.

Shamrock Rovers defender Lara Dallaghan led the team out as captain, while the trio of Kate Harkins, Alyssa Rooney and Keela Donnelly Meehan made their debuts.

Unsurprisingly, this was a tough game with Portugal showing their quality throughout but Ireland matched them with an impressive performance of their own.

The strong defensive unit was protected by an industrious midfield and they were led by an active attacking core that kept the Portuguese on their toes.

Wexford forward Whelan eventually broke the deadlock on 76 minutes and then Shelbourne ace Harcourt followed up on 85 minutes with a finish of her own.

Ireland: Lucy Doyle Farrington; Ruby Boland (Keela Donnelly Meehan 60), Lara Dallaghan, Hailey Twomey, Ava Hallinan (Leah O'Leary Callendar 70); Fiadh Woods, Ellen Goggin, Abbie Duffy (Maisy Healy 60); Kate Harkins (Alyssa Rooney 70), Ciara Milton (Mia Whelan 60), Emily Staunton (Halle Harcourt 60).