REPORT | GU16 | Ireland 2-1 Austria

REPORT | GU16 | Ireland 2-1 Austria

Goals from Anna Butler and Grace Ehinger led the Ireland Girls' Under-16s to a 2-1 victory over Austria in their UEFA Development Tournament in Portugal.

Having lost to Portugal in their opening game, the Girls in Green bounced back with this deserved win in the Estadio Carla Sacramento on Saturday afternoon.

Ireland had to work hard to seize control of this game after Austria started brightly and forced goalkeeper Laura Fanning into a diving save after just seven minutes played.

It was Austria who flicked the scoreboard into action first when Alina Kerschbaumer fired in from close range after an attempted clearance fell to the No 7 inside the penalty area.

Tom Elmes's team grew in confidence and created a couple of goalscoring opportunities with Ella Kelly, Emma Gaughran and Butler all going close before they eventually got their equaliser.

A free-kick into the Austria penalty area fell to Aoife Colbert-Martin to shoot at goal but it took a deflection off Butler to outwit the opposing the goalkeeper and make it 1-1 just before the half-time break.

Ireland looked the more likely to take the lead in the second period and that is what happened on 59 minutes when Ehinger raced free of her marker before blasting in at the near post.

Substitute Madison McGuane fired over late on from inside the penalty area but it didn't matter as Ireland had done enough to win this one.

Next up is a tough encounter with France on Tuesday as they look to close out this tournament on a high.

Ireland: Laura Fanning; Abigail Bradshaw (Aoife Sheridan 63), Kaitlyn Delahunty (Grace Ehinger 46), Aibhlinn Cotter (Heather Loomes 46); Aisling Meehan (Kate Jones 46), Sarah McCaffrey (Emma Mooney 63), Finley Newell, Emma Gaughran; Aoife Colbert-Martin (Madison McGuane 46), Anna Butler (Maeve Wollmer 79), Ella Kelly.


2024 UEFA GU16 Development Tournament
Thursday, May 16th | Portugal 3-1 Ireland
Saturday, May 18th | Ireland 2-1 Austria
Tuesday, May 21st | France v Ireland, Estadio de Medideira, KO 11:00

Related News

View all
View all
REPORT | Whitehall Rangers win 2025 FAI Women's Amateur Cup

REPORT | Whitehall Rangers win 2025 FAI Women's Amateur Cup

Fixtures announced for the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Third Round

Fixtures announced for the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Third Round

Preview | 2025 FAI Women’s Amateur Cup Final

Preview | 2025 FAI Women’s Amateur Cup Final

WNT tickets on sale for crucial UEFA Nations League Play-Off

WNT tickets on sale for crucial UEFA Nations League Play-Off

Continental Moves: Irish Stars Chase Minutes Ahead of World Cup Kick-Off

Continental Moves: Irish Stars Chase Minutes Ahead of World Cup Kick-Off

Saints and Shels meet in blockbuster Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Draw

Saints and Shels meet in blockbuster Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Draw

Dublin & Cork to host Under-21 EURO Qualifiers

Dublin & Cork to host Under-21 EURO Qualifiers

Jim Crawford pays visit to Football For All MiWadi FAI Football Camp

Jim Crawford pays visit to Football For All MiWadi FAI Football Camp