The Republic of Ireland under 17 women’s football team produced a record breaking 14-0 win over Albania today (Monday, 22nd October) in the Sports Centre of Serbian FA, Stara Pazova.
It was the opening game for Colin Bell’s charges as they seek one of the two qualification places for the elite round in a group that also includes Wales and hosts Serbia.
Emily Kraft scored four goals and Emily Whelan hit a hat-trick. Eabha O’Mahoney, Jessica Ziu and Katelyn Keogh contributed two goals each with Mia Dodd getting the final goal in injury time.
But the team also included three players from Galway WFC with Therese Kinneavey and Shauna Brennan starting in defence while Kayla Brady was an unused substitute.
👏What a start to the qualifying group for the @FAIreland WU17s who scored an unbelievable 1⃣4⃣ goals against Albania 🇦🇱 https://t.co/mpkD12Xl4Z
— FAI Women (@FAIWomen) October 22, 2018
Ireland play Wales on Thursday (25th October, 11am) and Serbia on Sunday (28th October, 11am) in Stara Pazova as they seek to reach the next phase of qualification for the 2019 UEFA Women’s under 17 European Championships.
The top two teams from each of the 11 groups plus the four best third placed teams will qualify for the next round in April 2019. Ireland’s scoring difference alone should mean their place is nearly booked.
Seven teams in April will qualify for the finals proper which take place in Bulgaria in May 2019.
Scorers – Republic of Ireland: Eabha O’Mahony – 3’ (P), 45’; Emily Whelan – 7’, 25’, 52’; Emily Kraft – 9’, 40’, 48’, 50’; Jessica Ziu – 21′, 66’; Katelyn Keogh – 85′, 87’; Mia Dodd – 90′.
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Maguire; Shauna Brennan, Mia Dodd, Ellie Ferguson, Eabha O’Mahony ©, Therese Kinneavey; Orla Prendergast, Jessica Ziu, Rebecca Cooke; Emily Whelan, Emily Kraft.
Subs used: Aoibhin Clancy for Prendergast (46 mins), Blessing Kingsley for Cooke (46 mins), Katelyn Keogh for Kraft (67 mins), Sophie Liston for Whelan (81 mins).
