Nolan goal not enough to secure ireland victory

THE Republic of Ireland Women's Under 19s ended their UEFA European Championship first phase qualifiers in Slovenia with a narrow 2-1 loss to Russia today.

After being awarded a 3-0 victory over Slovenia following a UEFA ruling that the Slovenes had fielded an ineligible player and beating Bulgaria 6-0, Dave Connell's team had already ensured passage through to elite phase qualifying, but they still wanted to finish this phase on a high.

It wasn't to be against a very good Russian side today, despite the Irish girls taking the lead inside the opening five minutes when Castlebar Celtic ace Jessica Nolan applied a cool finish.

Ireland maintained the lead until the 56th minute when Alena Andreeva drew Russia level, while Marina Fedorova added a second goal on 71 minutes to ensure her side secured a third straight win and topped Group 10.

Said Connell: “We were excellent in the first half and we knew going into the game that they were a danger, but we felt that we could get in behind them and we did that to create a couple of chances and Jess Nolan scored an excellent goal.

“They broke on us and scored, but we knew that they would come at us. Still, we created a couple of great chances late on, with Megan Connolly going close with a free-kick and Eleanor Ryan Doyle having an effort at the back post.”

The Ireland manager said the three games this past week gives them a fair idea of where they are and where they need to get to for the elite phase qualifiers, which will take place in early 2016, as he targets a place at next summer's finals tournament in Slovakia.