Offaly duo Ellen and Aoife help Ireland U19s reach Euro finals
Two players from Offaly have helped the Republic of Ireland squad qualify for the UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships for the first time since 2014.
Ellen Dolan (17), a former Mucklagh player who is now with Peamount United, started in Ireland's UEFA European Championship qualifying group victories against Iceland and Austria over the last week, and also came on as a sub in the final qualifying win against Croatia yesterday (Tuesday).
Tullamore's Aoife Murphy O'Connor, a former Killeigh FC player, played for the entirety of the win against Croatia, scoring the third goal in the Irish side's 3-0 win.
There are a number of Midlands connections to the squad, with Athlone Town goalkeeper Katie Keane starting last week's 4-1 victory over Iceland, and the 1-0 win over Austria which followed on Saturday last.
Those two victories clinched a place in the finals tournament in Lithuania this summer.
Athlone native Hazel Donegan, and Mary Philips from Laois, also started alongside Aoife Murphy O'Connor in the Croatia win. In addition, TUS Midlands student Eve Dossen, who plays for Galway United, was on the starting XI for the games against Iceland and Austria.
In the game against Iceland, played in Croatia last Wednesday, Ireland fell behind on 36 minutes but they drew level courtesy of a 56th-minute own goal. Goals from Jodie Loughrey, Hannah Healy and Joy Ralph then sealed the victory for Ireland.
A second-half goal from Shamrock Rovers forward Ralph proved to be the difference against Austria, in a game where both teams had a player sent off, with Ireland’s Freya Healy picking up two yellow cards late on.
The games against Iceland and Austria took place in Sesvete, a district of the Croatian capital Zagreb.
Having already qualified for the finals tournament, head coach Dave Connell made eight changes to the starting line-up for the Croatia game in Karlovac as more players were given a chance to impress.
Team captain Kate Thompson opened the scoring against Croatia on 23 minutes, before Wexford forward Ceola Bergin doubled the lead on 37 minutes and put Ireland firmly in control.
Aoife Murphy O'Connor netted the third goal on 85 minutes to wrap up another deserved victory, making it three wins in a row.
Ireland (vs Iceland): Katie Keane; Meabh Russell, Kate Thompson, Aoife Kelly, Eve Dossen, Jodie Loughrey; Sophie Morrin, Jess Fitzgerald; Ellen Dolan, Joy Ralph, Lia O’Leary. Subs used: Hannah Healy for Loughrey (64 mins), Freya Healy for Morrin (78), Rola Olusola for Ralph (86).
Ireland (vs Austria): Katie Keane; Meabh Russell, Kate Thompson, Aoife Kelly, Eve Dossen, Jodie Loughrey; Sophie Morrin (Freya Healy, 71 mins), Jess Fitzgerald; Ellen Dolan, Joy Ralph (Rola Olusola, 83), Lia O’Leary (Hannah Healy, 69).
Ireland (vs Croatia): Jayne Merren; Aoife Turner, Kate Thompson (Aoife Kelly, 46 mins), Mary Philips, Lia O'Leary; Jess Fitzgerald (Jodie Loughrey, 46), Hannah Healy (Ellen Dolan, 32); Rola Olusola (Meabh Russell, 74), Hazel Donegan, Aoife Murphy O'Connor; Ceola Bergin (Joy Ralph, 79).