Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19s lost heavily to England in a Women’s U19 Euro 2022 qualifier in Limerick this afternoon.
Alfie Wylie’s side had to defend stoutly in their second Group A5 clash, just as they did in their opening group game against Switzerland earlier this week, but England turned on the power and ran out 8-1 winners, with four of the goals coming in the final quarter of the match.
Republic of Ireland is hosting the four-team mini tournament and today’s encounter was played at Jackman Park in Limerick, which was also the venue for the game against the Swiss (3-1 defeat).
The young Lionesses pushed forward from the off and went ahead after just six minutes through midfielder Grace Clinton.
Northern Ireland keeper Lilie Woods kept out a Clinton strike, and England were off target with a handful of attempts, before striker Deearna Goodwin made it 2-0 on 30 minutes. Defender Jorja Fox provided the assist.
Alfie Wylie’s side were dealt a blow when Woods was injured in a collision with England striker Alex Hennessy on 35 minutes. She had to be replaced by Rachael Norney.
England had further chances before Northern Ireland made it 2-1 as half-time approached. Midfielder Kathryn Dickson got on the scoresheet.
Just after the break England scored their third from the penalty spot. Jane McMaster conceded the penalty for a foul on Hennessy, and Freya Gregory did the needful from the spot.
Norney saved well from England captain Teyah Goldie before midfielder Shona Davis missed a chance down the other end.
Olivia McLoughlin played in Clinton again on 67 minutes and she slid the ball home to make it 4-1.
Norney produced another good stop to keep out an effort from England substitute Agnes Beever-Jones, however on 75 minutes she was unable to prevent another England sub, Lucy Parry, from getting her country’s fifth goal of the game.
Further goals from Parry and Beever-Jones put England completely out of sight before Clinton completed her hat-trick in added time to put the icing very firmly on the cake.
The third and final game in the tournament for Northern Ireland is on Tuesday (26 October) at Market’s Field in Limerick against the tournament hosts (1pm start).
Northern Ireland WU19s: Lilie Woods, Ella Haughey, Fi Morgan (captain), Shona Davis, Jane McMaster, Abbie McHenry, Tierna Bell, Grace McKimm, Kathryn Dickson, Eve Reilly, Darcy Boyle. Substitutes: (used) Rachael Norney, Zoe Rodgers, Erin McGreevy, Ellie-Mae Dickson, Erin Montgomery; (unused) Cara Mervyn, Cora Chambers, Mia Little, Helen Parker.
England WU19s: Eleanor Heeps, Jorja Fox, Caitlin Smith, Teyah Goldie (captain), Olivia McLoughlin, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Mia Ross, Grace Clinton, Deearna Goodwin, Alex Hennessy, Freya Gregory. Substitutes: Khiara Keating (GK), Lucy Parry, Charlotte Wardlaw, Ruby Mace, Agnes Beever-Jones, Maisie Symonds, Lucy Watson, Tara Bourne, Lucia Kendall.
