Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-16s were defeated by Puerto Rico in the second of their three games at the CONMEBOL-UEFA U16 Girls Development Cup tournament in Paraguay.
Competition
CONMEBOL-UEFA U16 Girls Development Cup
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU16s 0-3 Puerto Rico WU16s
Venue
CONMEBOL complex, Luque
Date
3 June 2026
Team News
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-16 development squad are currently competing in the CONMEBOL-UEFA U16 Girls Development Cup in Paraguay.
They were invited to take part by UEFA and are taking on Paraguay, Puerto Rico and Chile in the tournament run by CONMEBOL, the governing body of football in South America, with support from UEFA.
For the game against Puerto Rico, head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey made eight changes to the side that started the 4-4 draw against Paraguay.
In came goalkeeper Ifeoma Agoha along with defenders Molly Gray, Jessica Leacock, Connie Harper and Rosa Brin, midfielder Cara McVeigh and forwards Charley McMullan and Ellie Tohill.
Dropping to the bench for this one were keeper Saskia McLauglin, defenders Caitlin Shields, Anayah Lee and Autumn Edgar, midfielders Lauren Kirkpatrick and Daisy-Lee Anderson plus attackers Niamh McDaid and Abigail Curley.
How it happened
Northern Ireland produced the first decent opportunity of the game. Connie Harper played a lovely pass to Ellie Tohill, however Puerto Rico keeper Natalia Salcedo was quick to thwart the danger.
Puerto Rico opened the scoring when an attacker got on the end of a pass over the top and finished well.
Charley McMullan and Cara McVeigh worked hard on the flanks to create opportunities for Northern Ireland, however Puerto Rico extended their lead on 25 minutes through a neat curler.
And they made it 3-0 not long after that thanks to a well-struck shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 0-3 Puerto Rico WU16s
Northern Ireland were much brighter after the break. Great work by Jessica Leacock and substitute Abi Curley forced a series of corners, however Northern Ireland could not convert any of them.
The Puerto Rico keeper was alert to stifle chances created by substitute Ella Kitson and McMullan.
In the middle of the park captain Grace Murray and another sub, Lauren Kirkpatrick, worked hard to keep the opposition at bay.
In the closing stages McMullan delivered a corner which was met by Zion Donnan and her firm header was kept out by Salcedo. And then sub Niamh McDaid put a header inches wide from another McMullan corner.
Goalkeeper Ifeoma Agoha produced a superb save as the game drew to a close, and Molly Gray blocked well.
It was a much better performance from Northern Ireland in the second half, although they were unable to convert their chances.
Next up for the WU16s is their final game in the tournament. It’s against Chile on Saturday (6 June) with an 8am kick-off local time.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU16s 0-3 Puerto Rico WU16s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland WU16s: Ifeoma Agoha, Molly Gray, Zion Donnan, Jessica Leacock, Connie Harper, Rosa Brin, Grace Guest, Grace Murray (captain), Charley McMullan, Ellie Tohill, Cara McVeigh.
Substitutes: Saskia McLaughlin (GK), Caitlin Shields, Anayah Lee, Autumn Edgar, Daisy-Lee Anderson, Niamh McDaid, Abigail Curley, Lauren Kirkpatrick, Ella Kitson.
Puerto Rico WU16s: Natalia Salcedo, Isabella Dorsey, Camilla Cortes, Alyssa Badia, Maya Alonso, Juliana Martinez, Caroline Micheo (captain), Amanda Figueroa, Kayleen Suarez, Yamileth Diez, Kianna Rodriguez.
Substitutes: Melodee Martinez (GK), Mia Calderon, Olivia Cuevas, Andrea Miranda, Aleeya Olmo, Carolina Obrien, Milagro Smyrnow, Nadia Cohen, Lizmarie Espinoza.
