Ireland Women’s Under-15s ended their UEFA Development Tournament in Croatia with a 5-2 defeat to Ukraine.

Ireland had raced into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes thanks to goals from Amy Nnabugwu and Rose O’Leary.

However five unanswered goals by the Ukrainians saw them take the win at the Stadion NK Trešnjevka.

Ireland started the game strongly and could have been ahead as early as five minutes into the game. Nnabugwu broke down the right cut the ball back into six-yard box for Molly Dooling whose effort was smartly saved by the Ukrainian goalkeeper.

Three minutes later Nnabugwu had another chance when a high-press from Ireland saw the ball fall to the Peamount United striker who unfortunately put it over the bar.

However she would get the goal her play deserved when she was put through one-on-one with by McCa rtan and Nnabugwu made no mistake with finish for 1-0.

After 18 minutes it was 2-0 to Ireland. Ireland won the ball in the centre of the pitch, Dooling thread a pass through to Shelbourne's O’Leary who took a touch before finding the net.

In 34C heat the conditions were a challenge for the young Irish side and after the waterbreak Ukraine fought back.

Anastasia Pravdyvko got Ukraine back in it with a fine strike in the 38^th minute. This was followed by the equaliser just before half-time by Kristina Osadcha.

In the second half Ireland had an opportunity to restore their lead when a flick on by Nnabugwu was hooked off the line but moments later Ukraine completed the turn around when Sofia Zenia firing past Emma O’Neill.

With five minutes remaining Ukraine made it 4-2 from the penalty spot through Khrystyna Haidai. And as Ireland looked to get back into the game Ukraine hit the young Girls in Green on the counter attack to make it 5-2.
 

Ukraine: Hubnytska, Honcharenko, Lutsenko (C), Kotukha, Shpynarova, Kulia, Petreshena, Haidai, Osadcha, Makovii, Pravdyvko. Substitutes: Dementieva, Vorobei, Soloshichenko, Huslavska, Dyka, Zenia.

Ireland: O’Neill (C), P. Murphy, Norris, Lyons (Greene, 58’), Rice (O’Doherty, 74’), Moloney (Donovan, 74’), McCartan (Harris, 58’), Dooling (Clarke 64’), O’Leary, Smialek (L.Murphy, 46’), Nnabugwu (Mullally, 58’).
 

Goalscorers: Amy Nnabugwu (11’),  Amy O’Leary (18’)

UEFA Development Tournament
Sunday, August 23rd | Croatia WU15 0-5 Ireland WU15
Tuesday, August 25th | Slovakia WU15 3-2 Ireland WU15
Friday, August 28th | Ukraine WU15 5-2 Ireland WU15