The Northern Ireland U14 Girls' Development Squad wrapped up a strong week of performances at the Foyle Cup competing in the Boys' U13 section.
After topping their group with two wins and a draw, Stephen Graham's side progressed to the main cup competition eventually securing an impressive 12th spot overall out of a field of some 68 teams.
Thursday (game one) - Northern Ireland 1-4 Newell FC
Newell, the eventual tournament runners-up, started strongly and had an early chance which goalkeeper Ifeoma Agoha saved well. After great work by Aoife Conlon, Zion Donnan and Ella Kitson Northern Ireland created a number of chances of their own and were unlucky not to score.
Newell broke the deadlock, however, with a finish into the bottom corner and doubled their lead just before the break with a well taken finish from the edge of the box.
Kitson might have pulled one back in the second half after getting on the end of a precise through ball from Leah Hepburn but the keeper made the save.
At the other end Darcy Grayson made a vital block to prevent Newell going further ahead. Play switched again for Kitson to threaten with another chance but Newell added a third with a header before following up on the rebound for number four after Agoha had initially saved from the spot.
Northern Ireland's battling performance was rewarded later in the game, however, when Saoirse Devine converted from the spot after she had been brought down in the area.
Thursday (game two) - Northern Ireland 4-1 Quigley Point Swifts
Starting strongly, both Ella Kitson and Leah Hepburn had chances while Sophia Gill and Eimear Wilson blocked efforts from Quigley Point at the other end.
Northern Ireland went ahead when Kitson broke down the right-hand side and finished well at the near post. The opposition then scored from close range before Zion Donnan unleashed a tremendous 30-yard strike into the roof of the net to restore Northern Ireland's lead.
Both sides had chances early in the second half, with both striking the crossbar, while Northern Ireland keeper Chloe Morrison made a fantastic save to stop Quigley Point from levelling.
Northern Ireland then piled on the pressure, and extended their advantage when Lydia Devlin finished well from a Cara McVeigh cross before Aoife Conlon added a fourth with a great run after a precise pass from Gracey Livingston.
Friday - Northern Ireland 1-2 Maghera Strollers
Northern Ireland came close to opening the scoring early in the game after Darcy Grayson nodded just wide from Gracey Livingston's precisely delivered corner.
But they did move in front when Zion Donnan curled a fantastic shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box.
Maghera then equalised from a corner before the break while Aoife Conlon had a shot on target as Northern Ireland looked to regain the advantage.
Lydia Devlin and Cara McVeigh also had chances in the second half but Maghera eventually came through to secure the win with a close range finish.
Saturday - Northern Ireland 2-2 (2-4p) Portrush
In the 11th/12th place game in Donemana Northern Ireland raced into an early lead when Saoirse Devine crossed for Ella Kitson to control the ball well before firing into the bottom corner.
They added a second when Aoife Conlon crossed for Zion Donnan to volley home while Eva Dunlop and Lara Longridge were very composed in possession and created opportunities with their precise passing, with Lauren Kirkpatrick working very hard in midfield to win the ball back on numerous occasions.
Portrush hit back with two goals in quick succession after the break, however, but Emilie Sylvester came close to tipping the balance back in favour of Northern Ireland later in the game with a chance following a run down the right after being found by a great pass from Katie McKenna.
Penalties were required to settle the game, which Portrush won 4-2 as Northern Ireland's fantastic efforts throughout the week saw them finish 12th overall.
Paying tribute to the efforts of his players, head coach Stephen Graham said: "The attitude and standard of performances shown throughout the week from this group of young players has been of a consistently high level. This tournament has proven to be a very challenging, positive and important step in their development."
