Northern Ireland Women’s Under-15s were narrowly defeated by Malta WU15s in their second game at a UEFA development tournament in Malta.
Competition
UEFA WU15s Development Tournament
Scoreline
Malta WU15s 2-1 Northern Ireland WU15s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Aoife Conlon
Venue
Centenary Stadium, Ta’Qali
Date
18 September 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland WU15s head coach Stephen Graham made six changes from the team that started game one - a 3-2 win against Romania - in the four-team UEFA development tournament currently being staged in Malta.
In came goalkeeper Grace Greenhill along with defender Eva Dunlop, midfielders Lauren Kirkpatrick, Cara McVeigh and Anna Dunlop plus forward Lydia Devlin.
Dropping to the bench were goalkeeper Ifeoma Agoha, defender Gracey Livingston, midfielders Connie Harper and Leah Hepburn plus attackers Emilie Sylvester and Ella Kitson.
How it happened
Northern Ireland began on the front foot in sweltering conditions and quickly went a goal up. Aoife Conlon outpaced her marker, drove into the penalty area and slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.
On 15 minutes Grace Greenhill made an excellent stop, in a one v one, to keep the hosts out.
Shortly after that a superb cross from Lydia Devlin found Zion Donnan, however her effort was blocked. And from the resultant corner an acrobatic effort from Conlon cannoned off the bar.
As half-time approached Anna Dunlop steered an effort just wide of the target.
Half-time: Malta WU15s 0-1 Northern Ireland WU15s
Malta applied more pressure after the break and hit the crossbar before grabbing the equaliser on 60 minutes.
Initially Greenhill made a brilliant save from a Maltese strike, but the hosts scored from the follow-up.
A few minutes later Malta took the lead with a shot from distance.
Northern Ireland substitute Connie Harper guided a shot just wide of the post before fellow sub Ella Kitson had an effort well saved by the Malta keeper.
Substitutes Lara Longridge and Katie McKenna worked hard to break up Malta attacks, while Kitson and another sub, Emilie Sylvester, made some excellent runs in the final third.
Northern Ireland pressed hard but could not find the equaliser.
Next up for the WU15s is their final game in the tournament against Lithuania. It’s due to be played on Sunday (21 September) at the Centenary Stadium at Ta’Qali, which is part of the Maltese national stadium complex. Kick-off time on Sunday is 10am CEST (9am BST).
Full-time: Malta WU15s 2-1 Northern Ireland WU15s
Line-ups
Malta: Mariah Chircop, Cassidy Massa, Ella Muscat, Chanice Refalo, Ana Vassallo, Rihana Fava Borg, Martina Vasquez (captain), Elanya Mallia, Jodie Lewis, Katrina Catania, Kylie Pullicino.
Substitutes: Chloe Borg (GK), Nael Lepre, Keziah Richard, Mikella Vella Aquilina, Katrine Jorgensen, Amy Muscat, Amie Portelli, Francesca Busuttil, Elisa Polidano.
Northern Ireland: Grace Greenhill, Molly Gray, Eva Dunlop, Darcy Grayson, Sophia Gill, Lauren Kirkpatrick, Cara McVeigh, Zion Donnan (captain), Aoife Conlon, Anna Dunlop, Lydia Devlin.
Substitutes: Ifeoma Agoha, Katie McKenna, Gracey Livingston, Lara Longridge, Connie Harper, Leah Hepburn, Emilie Sylvester, Sophie Nelson, Ella Kitson.
