REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2-1 SLOVAKIA
Leah Henry, Leanne Kiernan Alexandra Strubelova
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND drew Slovakia in their second outing of the Bob Docherty Cup: The opposition were new to the competition and an unknown quantity for Counihan's crew:
Slovakia set a fast pace in this intense encounter on Tuesday afternoon in the Derbyshire sun:
The Republic of Ireland had the better start and Ballinasloe girl Heather Payne had a shot blocked resulting in a corner kick taken by Chloe McNamee: A free kick from Tiegan Ruddy put the Slovakian goalkeeper under pressure: A close chance then fell to Heather Payne, racing onto a through ball from Leah Reybet Degat, and into a tussle with the Slovakian goalkeeper:
The Slovakian team were very strong in midfield and Reybet Degat and Tiegan Ruddy had a fierce battle with Lenka Koprova and Martina Surnovska:
Lauryn O'Callaghan had an excellent game in defence, showing great composure and stamina:
The Republic of Ireland's opening goal came after 19 minutes: Heather Payne worked the ball down the wing, Saoirse Noonan and Shania McGonigle held the ball up well and when it fell to Leah Henry she calmly stroked the ball into the goal:
The Slovakian team quickly responded with a free kick from Timea Bochinova but this attempt was wide of the mark:
The first half finished with a series of attacks by the Republic of Ireland: Heather Payne had a fine shot and Carndonagh student Shania McGonigle was a constant problem for the Slovakian defence:
The second half started with a long range effort from the St: Wolstan pupil Tiegan Ruddy which deceived the goalkeeper, narrowly missing the goal:
The Republic of Ireland doubled their lead with a lightning attack and finish from Bailieborough youngster Leanne Kiernan following clever midfield play from Saoirse Noonan of Christ King Girls SS, Cork:
The Slovakian team were quick to respond and the final minutes of the match were played at a furious pace: The Republic team went looking for a third goal and seemed likely to achieve this as Leanne Kiernan and Saoirse Noonan combined several times to cut through the Slovakian defence:
The Slovakian team, inspired by the excellent Martrina Surnovska, also were threatening and showed the potential to carve out a goal:
The final few minutes were an intense affair after a goal from Alexandra Strubelova gave the Slovakian team a lifeline:
Both sides had some good chances at the end of an exciting match: Saoirse Noonan beat three players with a Brazilian juggle and dribble, finishing with a low shot which was saved by the goalkeeper:
Then, in injury time the Slovakian team seemed to have salvaged an equaliser but Ciara Maher (Coláiste de hIde, Tallaght) saved the match, and the day, with a last ditch challenge:
Ultimately this was a spirited and disciplined performance by the Republic of Ireland leaving them in the healthy position with two wins from two:
Wednesday will see a rest day for the Republic of Ireland as England take on Scotland and Slovakia feature against Northern Ireland:
The play/offs will then take place on Thursday morning as the group winners come head to head for the prestigious title
U15 GIRLS INTERNATIONAL SELECT:
Naoisha McALOON (Ratoath College, Meath)
Alex KAVANAGH (St: Michael's SS, Finglas)
Chloe MCNAMEE (St: Oliver's Post Primary, Oldcastle)
Ciara HICKEY (Spanish Point SS, Clare)
Ciara MAHER (Coláiste de hIde, Tallaght)
Heather PAYNE (Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe)
Katie BURDIS (Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown)
Lauryn O'CALLAGHAN (St: MacDara's CC, Templeogue)
Leah HENRY (Presentation SS, Listowel)
Leah REYBET DEGAT (Sutton Park School)
Leanne KIERNAN (Bailieborough CS)
Niamh FARRELLY (St: Joseph's College, Lucan)
Sabrina MCCARTHY (St: Caimin's CS, Shannon)
Saoirse NOONAN (Christ the King Girls' SS, Cork)
Shania McGONIGLE (Carndonagh CS)
Aoife McCOLGAN (Carndonagh CS)
Sinead FARRELL (St: Joseph's College, Summerhill, Athlone)
Tiegan RUDDY (St: Wolstan's CS, Celbridge)
MANAGEMENT TEAM:
Lorraine Counihan, Manager (Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant)
Alistair Harvey, Coach (St: Kilian's DSD, Clonskeagh)
David Rooney, GK Coach
Angela Kenneally, Physio
FIXTURES & RESULTS
(All games take place in Repton School, Derbyshire)
Monday, April 14
England 2/0 Wales at 5:00pm
Republic of Ireland 2/0 Northern Ireland at 5:00pm
Tuesday, April 15
Wales 0/6 Scotland at 10:00am
Republic of Ireland 2/1 Slovakia at 3:00pm
Wednesday, April 16
England v Scotland at 10:00am
Slovakia v Northern Ireland at 2:30pm
Thursday, April 17
5th - 6th place play/off (two teams that come 3rd in their group) at 9:00am
3rd - 4th place play/off (two teams that come 2nd in their group) at 9:00am
Final (between the two group winners) at 10:00am