REPORT | Portugal 0-1 WU17

REPORT | Portugal 0-1 WU17

The Ireland Women's Under-17s finished off a productive training camp in Portugal by beating their hosts 1-0 courtesy of a fine goal from Rebecca Devereux.

After beating South Korea in the first of two international friendly games, James Scott's team wanted to end the eight-day camp on a high. And that is exactly what they did.

These games are preparation for their upcoming UEFA Women's Under-17 European Championship qualifiers in Albania and they made the most of both by using every player, bringing training ground work into a game and showing the discipline required to beat two good teams.

Both teams started the game lively, putting passes together and keeping possession. With 24 minutes gone, Portugal had a great chance to go ahead as Vitória Coelho attempted a bicycle kick, but her acrobatic attempt went wide.

It remained a tight affair as the minutes ticked by and Ireland goalkeeper Enya Carthy made a fine save from a shot from long distance in the 28th minute.

Right before end of the first half, the ball fell to Della Cowper Gray just on the edge of the box. Her well-taken shot was met by a great save and that meant it was all-square heading into the break.

Portugal had a good chance saved again by Carthy in the 47th minute to start to second half off. Ireland captain Katie Lawlee had a shot on target in the 54th minute, but was claimed by the Portuguese keeper.

Ireland had a good opportunity to go ahead when the ball fell to substitute Anna Butler in the box, but again the shot was matched with some fine goalkeeping to keep things level. At the other end, Carthy was kept on her toes in goal, making another fine stop minutes after Butler’s chance.

Finally in the 76th minute, the deadlock was broken when a long ball was played over the top of the Portuguese defence. The ball was recycled in the box by substitute Devereux who passed it back to Butler who found Sorcha Melia. Melia played it into Devereux who took the ball past the Portuguese defender with great composure and finished the chance into the bottom left corner to give Ireland the lead. A great piece of play from the young Shelbourne striker.

With six minutes of extra-time, Ireland kept great composure to see out the game and get the win.

Two wins from two in this international window is bound to give them great confidence going into their qualifying games.

Ireland: Enya Carthy, Emma Duffy, Lucy Fitzgerald, Amy Tierney (Aoibhe Brennan 46), Katie Lawlee (Rebecca Devereux 60), Emily Fitzgerald (Anna Butler 46), Hannah O’Brien (Katie O'Reilly 60, Ella Kelly 75), Kiera Sena, Della Cowper Gray (Sorcha Melia 60), Ciara Fitzpatrick, Clodagh Daly (Keeva Flynn 60).

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Ireland WU17 Squad
Goalkeepers: Clodagh Fitzgerald (Cork City), Enya Carthy (SJEB Academy – USA)
Defenders: Emma Duffy (Galway United), Lucy O'Rourke (Shelbourne), Clodagh Daly (Shamrock Rovers), Ciara Fitzpatrick (Cork City), Keeva Flynn (Sligo Rovers), Della Cowper Gray (Shamrock Rovers), Keelin Dodd (DLR Waves), Kiera Sena (Cork City)
Midfielders: Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians), Amy Tierney (Shamrock Rovers), Lucy Fitzgerald (Athlone Town), Anna Hegarty (Bohemians), Ella Kelly (Shamrock Rovers)
Forwards: Katie Lawlee (Treaty United), Hannah O'Brien (Shelbourne), Sorcha Melia (Shamrock Rovers), Rebecca Devereux (Shelbourne), Anna Butler (Shamrock Rovers), Emily Fitzgerald (Galway United), Katie O'Reilly (Shamrock Rovers)

Results
January 19 | South Korea 1-2 Ireland, Estádio Dr. Alves Vieira (Torres Novas)
January 24 | Portugal 0-1 Ireland, Campo Chã das Padeiras, em Santarém

FAI080-139 WNT Two Match Pack Ireland v Sweden Website 360x275.png
FAI080-139 WNT Two Match Pack Ireland v Sweden Website 360x275.png

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