Women's U19's: Rep of Ireland 1-1 Holland

The Irish were eager to build on Tuesdays result when they were held to a 1-1 draw in Richmond Park after dominating the game for large periods. Irelands' first chance of the game fell to Grace Murray who unluckily failed to score when her free kick from the outside the box rattled the underside of the cross bar. After only ten minutes, Aine O'Gorman played a pin-point through-ball to Susan Donovan who cleverly rounded the Dutch keeper who advanced from her goal line. The keeper was incredibly lucky to stay on the field as she pulled down the Irish attacker on the edge of the box as she advanced on the Dutch goal.

The Republic of Ireland only had to wait for 13 minutes when Niamh Fahey split through the Dutch midfield and laid off for Aine O Gorman on the right wing. The Stella Maris striker spotted the goalkeeper off her line and rifled home an unstoppable shot from outside the box.

Irelands' dominance from the first game on Tuesday night carried over to today's game, Niamh Fahey and Sarah McGrath marshaled midfield while Blackburn Rovers defender, Nicola Twohig had a solid performance on her international debut.

Holland were back in the match straight from the kick-off in the second half. Hesitance in the Irish defence from the right wing allowed the Dutch striker to hammer home from close range.

The Republic of Ireland were exceptionally quick in responding to the Dutch equaliser and pushed forward in numbers for the winning goal. Substitute, Noelle Murray missed a guilt edged opportunity when her free header from six yards was saved easily by the Dutch keeper.

Holland were able to soak up all the pressure applied by the Irish and in the end settled for the draw.

Manager, Sue Ronan said after the game, “This was a fantastic exercise ahead of this months UEFA Elite Phase Qualifying Phase, to draw against one of Europe's top under-age teams and be disappointed shows how much our team has progressed in the past few years. I thought we were incredibly unlucky not to get the win after we dominated both games from start to finish. I am delighted for our girls who will have the confidence to go into the UEFA championship with the belief that they can compete with the best teams in Europe.”

Republic of Ireland
Aine Genockey (UCD)
Grace Murray (Dundalk FC)
Niamh Fahey (Salthill Devon)
Lisa Toohey (Annacotty)
Diane Caldwell (Raheny United)
Meabh de Burca (Salthill Devon)
Aoife Herbert (Ballina)
Nicola Twohig (Blackburn Rovers)
Susan Donovan (Ballincollig)
Sarah McGrath (Arsenal)
Aine O'Gorman (Stella Maris)

Subs Used
Seana Cooke (Raheny United) on for Lisa Toohey, 45 Mins
Bronagh Sheridan (DCU) on for Susan Donovan, 45 Mins
Noelle Murray (St. Anthonys) on for Aoife Herbert, 55 Mins
Nicola Sinnott (Ballagh) on for Diane Caldwell, 60 Mins
Stephanie Roche (Stella Maris) on for Maeve de Burca, 75 Mins
Sinead Tucker (Peamount) on for Sarah McGrath, 80 Mins