The Republic of Ireland's under-18 team ended their European Championship qualifying campaign in Telford yesterday with a 3-1 defeat by Holland, ending their hopes of reaching next year's finals. England's 7-0 victory over the Faroe Islands helped them beat the Dutch to the one qualifying spot on goal difference.

The Irish produced their best performance of the week, taking the lead against Holland after 18 minutes when Sonya Hughes scored from a free-kick 20 yards from goal. With just 15 minutes to go, however, they lost their influential captain and sweeper Yvonne Tracy through injury and three minutes later the Dutch equalised when Dolores Deasley deflected a free-kick past her own goalkeeper, Elaine Hart.

Holland added two more goals in the 89th and 90th minutes, the first a freakish effort when Rachel McGuinness's clearance from the back hit a Dutch forward and rebounded in to the net.