The Republic of Ireland's under-18 team had a winning start to their European Championship qualifying group in Shrewsbury yesterday, beating the Faroe Islands 2-0 with a goal in each half from Sonya Hughes and substitute Marie Gallagher.
Hughes broke the deadlock after 22 minutes when she fired home an impressive from 25 yards. And in the 93rd minute, Fanad United's Gallagher wrapped up the points with a shot from the edge of the box. The Faroes failed to trouble goalkeeper Elaine Hart, who was well protected by Dolores Deasley, Edel Gavin and captain Yvonne Tracy, while up front Amanda Coleman and Michelle Walsh were repeatedly denied a reward for their efforts by the Faroe Islands' goalkeeper, who pulled off a string of outstanding saves. The Republic must finish top of their group to qualify for next year's finals, but having been drawn with England and Holland the odds are against them. They play England tomorrow and Holland on Friday in Telford.
Republic Of Ireland: E Harte; D Deasley, E Gavin, Y Tracy (capt); L Peat, N Connolly, S Hughes, S Heapes; M Walsh, A Coleman, E O'Connor. Subs: E Kilduff for Peat (60 mins), C Thorpe for O'Connor (75 mins) and M Gallagher for Walsh (82 mins).
Under-18 European Championships: Group Three - Republic of Ireland 2 (S Hughes, M Gallagher), Faroe Islands 0.
Tomorrow: Republic of Ireland v England, Telford, 7.0. Friday: Republic of Ireland v Holland, Telford, 2.0.
