UNDER-17 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v SPAIN(Today, 12.30pm, RTÉ.ie, Eurosport): REGARDLESS OF the outcome of today's Under-17 European Championship final against Spain in Switzerland, Noel King's players are already assured of a place in the Irish sporting history books.
Beating Sweden, the second ranked nation in Europe, to reach the last four of the competition was a first for an Irish women’s side, at any level; beating reigning champions Germany in last Tuesday’s semi-final took them to a whole new level.
It was a stunning victory by the team, the game decided by defender Megan Campbell’s free-kick from 30 yards shortly before half-time, ensuring Germany’s first defeat in the under-17 championships in three years. It also guaranteed Ireland a place at this year’s under-17 World Cup which takes place in Trinidad and Tobago in September. The celebrations were, though, short-lived, all thoughts turning to today’s game against last year’s beaten finalists. “As soon as the final whistle went everybody’s mood changed,” said King. “We spent 24 hours up in the air, it is a marvellous achievement and there’s no point trying to dampen the enthusiasm, but after that semi-final the whole squad got straight back to work on the training ground because they are so hungry for this title.”
Despite coming up against several higher ranked opponents en route to the final, among them Denmark, Sweden and Germany, the team remains unbeaten, conceding just three goals in seven games, the central defensive pairing of Jessica Gleeson and Jennifer Byrne largely responsible for that record.
“Spain’s attacking record in this competition is very impressive but let’s not forget that we have one of the best defensive records and we are confident that we will be capable of keeping them quiet in front of goal,” said Gleeson. “We we haven’t won anything yet. We will, though, go into the game full of confidence.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND(squad): Jennifer Byrne (Bealnamulla), Clare Shine (Douglas Hall), Tanya Kennedy (Finn Valley), Niamh McLaughlin (Greencastle), Aileen Gilroy (Killala), Ciara Grant (Kilmacrennan Celtic), Kerry Glynn (Montclair Thunderbolts), Rianna Jarrett (North End United), Siobhan Killeen (Raheny United), Grace Moloney, Stacie Jayne Donnelly, Harriet Archer Scott (all Reading), Dora Gorman (Salthill Devon, capt), Megan Campbell (St Francis), Jessica Gleeson, Ciara O'Brien (both Tramore), Amanda Budden, Denise O'Sullivan (both Wilton United).
