The Ireland Women's Under 19s have qualified for the UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships for the first time since 2014.
After beating Iceland 4-1 in their opening Group A2 game, the Girls in Green overcame Austria 1-0 on Saturday to qualify for the finals tournament in Lithuania.
A second-half goal from Shamrock Rovers forward Joy Ralph proved to be the difference in a game where both teams had a player sent off — Freya Healy picking up two yellow cards late on.
This is the second time that Head Coach Dave Connell has led a WU19 squad to a Euros and they fully deserve their spot which is clinched due to a better head-to-head record even though they have one game remaining against Croatia.
🇮🇪 Aoife Kelly, Lia O'Leary & Joy Ralph all featured for Ireland U19s in a 1-0 win over Austria this morning
⚽️ It's two in two for Joy who got the winner, with Lia providing the assist in Sesvete
🇭🇷 Next up for the Girls In Green is a clash with hosts Croatia on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/Ppqmtf0O6i— Shamrock Rovers Women (@RoversWomen) April 6, 2024
Ireland dominated this game in many ways and showed their quality when it mattered most. Ralph's goal on 50 minutes was a just reward for their positive approach.
The future is bright for this talented crop of players and they have a Euros to look forward to now.
Ireland: Katie Keane; Meabh Russell, Kate Thompson, Aoife Kelly, Eve Dossen, Jodie Loughrey; Sophie Morrin (Freya Healy 71), Jess Fitzgerald; Ellen Dolan, Joy Ralph (Rola Olusola 83), Lia O’Leary (Hannah Healy 69).
FIXTURES
Wednesday, April 3 | Ireland 4-1 Iceland, Sv. Josip Radnik, Sesvete
Saturday, April 6 | Austria 0-1 Ireland, Sv. Josip Radnik, Sesvete, KO 11:30
Tuesday, April 9 | Croatia v Ireland, Branko Čavlović-Čavlek, Karlovac, KO 11:30
