UEFA European Women's U-17 Championship

Mars Bar

Late last year, the Ireland team topped the first qualifying group with 7 points and only conceding three goals to make it to the second qualifying stage of the competition.

The team fly out to Norway today and get their campaign under way on Monday against France at 2 pm. France scored 23 goals compared to Ireland's 10 on the way to qualifying. Ireland conceded 3 and France only 1.

I expect Ireland's game to be focused on defending first and foremost and hoping that they take their chances when they come. Manager, Harry Kenny, loves channeling the play through a "number 10" and I expect that player to be Cork Women's player, Claire Shine. Chloe Mustaki has been in fine form for Peamount United in the Bus Eireann Women's National League. She'll be the one organising the defence.

Ireland's group includes France, Norway and Poland.
There is no room for second best as only the winners of the group will go through to the next stage.

Fixtures

19th March 14.00
Ireland v France

21st March 17.15
Ireland v Norway

24th March 13.00
Ireland v Poland

Ireland Squad

NAME
CLUB
1
Jillian Moloney
GSA 95 Phoenix Red

2
Courtney Brosnan
PDA Slammers

3
Lauren Dwyer
St. Josephs, Carlow

4
Mary Fitzpatrick
Atlanta Fire

5
Ciara O’Connell
Cork Ladies League

6
Shauna Newman
Raheny United

7
Chloe Mustaki
Peamount United

8
Lauren Boles
Castlebar Celtic

9
Carys Johnson
Everton FC

10
Katie McCabe
Raheny United

11
Caroline Healy
Peamount United

12
Amy O’Connor
Wilton United

13
Michelle Farrell
Longford Town

14
Amber Barrett
Milford United

15
Claire Shine
Cork Ladies League

16
Sarah Rowe
Ballina Town

17
Grace Wright
Challenge FC

18
Gemma McGuinness
Greencastle FC

Notable absentee is Ciara Rossiter who somehow managed to fracture her hip on friendly duty with this squad in Belgium two weeks ago

I don't think these matches are being televised which is a shame. Hopefully I'm wrong!

Group 4 sees Spain and Germany fight it out. The two nations have won this competition twice in the past four years. It should be an interesting group with good football on show.

The_Kew_Tour

Wish them the very best.

Its tough that only one team gets out of group, be bit more confident if it were 2 teams.

Mars Bar

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Wish them the very best.

Its tough that only one team gets out of group, be bit more confident if it were 2 teams.

Yeah it makes it very tough and being realistic, I can see France winning this group.

But stranger things have happened so I keep hope.

Mars Bar

This actually kicks off 1pm our time. You can follow it live on the match centre here.

France and Ireland's starting XI


Republic of Ireland
1 Jilian Maloney (GK)
2 Shauna Newman
3 Lauren Dwyer
4 Ciara O'Connell
5 Mary Fitzpatrick
6 Chloe Mustaki
7 Amy O'Connor
8 Lauren Boles
9 Amber Barrett
10 Clare Shine (C)
11 Katie McCabe

Claire Shine playing No.10 as I predicted. :cool:

pickarooney

Five saves by Maloney in that first half!

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pickarooney wrote: »

Five saves by Maloney in that first half!

You watching it? Where are you watching it?!

By the sounds of it, she has been very busy for that half. Doing well to keep it at 0-0.

pickarooney

Nope, just reading it from that link you gave

Mars Bar

pickarooney wrote: »

Nope, just reading it from that link you gave

Ah right. When you said "fine saves", I thought you had seen them.

pickarooney

Five saves!

Mars Bar

pickarooney wrote: »

Five saves!

Nothing to see here, move along please.

Maloney has another save!

Mars Bar

NOOO! France scored.

KittyeeTrix

Time left yet,,,,not to worry:)

Mars Bar

KittyeeTrix wrote: »

Time left yet,,,,not to worry:)

2 0 now. Floodgates have opened.

KittyeeTrix

Maybe time to worry now.....Jaysus, I'm one kind of a jinx:o

pickarooney

Pressure paying off now for France.

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pickarooney wrote: »

Pressure paying off now for France.

Was only a matter of time really. 3-0 home and dry for France...

pickarooney

Just noticed these matches are only 80 minutes long.

Mars Bar

pickarooney wrote: »

Just noticed these matches are only 80 minutes long.

Thankfully!

They got a 4th in injury time.

Mars Bar

Ireland's second game of the campaign got underway about 15 minutes ago and Ireland find themselves 1 down already.

The times in the first post are local times in Norway so we are an hour behind.

Mars Bar

2-0.

I'm seriously surprised just how many goals this team are conceding.

Ferris_Bueller

Strange, the team done okay against Belgium in two friendlies at the start of the month didn't they, win and a draw? Wonder where it is all going wrong, thought they stood a decent chance.

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Ferris_Bueller wrote: »

Strange, the team done okay against Belgium in two friendlies at the start of the month didn't they, win and a draw? Wonder where it is all going wrong, thought they stood a decent chance.

They did yeah. Those friendlies might say more about the opposition they faced than the team itself.

A lot of the U-17's last year moved up an age group so maybe this team will be better in a year or two.

Mars Bar

Ireland have a final chance at just bringing some pride back with them after a disappointing second round. The opposition is Poland.

Judging by the line up, Harry is giving a few of the girls who haven't had much game time a game.

Mars Bar

Farrell scores!