Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s were defeated by Austria in the second of three WU17 Euro 2027 qualifiers this month.
Competition
WU17 Euro 2027 Qualifiers (Round 1)
Scoreline
Austria WU17s 4-1 Northern Ireland WU17s
Scorers
Austria: Ertl, Karahasanovic (pen), Herdem, Nagy
Northern Ireland: Curley (pen)
Venue
Sarpsborg Stadium, Norway
Date
10 October 2026
Team News
Northern Ireland are competing in League A Group 1 in round one of the qualifiers for WU17 Euro 2027 this month.
For the second of three games being hosted in Norway, head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey made five changes to the side defeated by Norway in her side’s opening fixture.
Saskia McLaughlin replaced Ifeoma Agoha in nets, while defender Ellie-Mae Turner, midfielders Abigail Fitzsimmons and Leah Hepburn plus attacker Charley McMullan also came in to the starting line-up.
Dropping to the bench were defender Sasha Cowan, midfielder Zion Donnan and attackers Grace Murray and Abigail Curley.
How it happened
Northern Ireland had the first chance of the game. A Sara Devany free-kick was met by captain Grace Guest who guided her header wide of the target.
Austria had a series of corners which were defended well by Abigail Fitzsimmons, Ellie-Mae Turner and Devany.
On 18 minutes Saski McLaughlin produced a good save from an Emma Kaiser strike, however Northern Ireland conceded a goal four minutes later when Austrian wing back Charlotte Ertl smashed the ball into the top corner.
In the 26th minute Austria were awarded a penalty when Devany clashed with striker Mirella Karahasanovic inside the area. It was a hash decision, however Karahasanovic dusted herself down and slotted in the spot kick.
Leah Hepburn, Charley McMullan and Anna Rose Robinson worked hard in the final third to create opportunities but found the Austrian defence in resolute mood.
Just before the break Grace Steele tested Austrian keeper Franzisca Graf with a strike from distance.
Half-time: Austria WU17s 2-0 Northern Ireland WU17s
Northern Ireland upped the ante after the break. A McMullan corner found Robinson in the box and her header was saved by the Austrian keeper.
Guest then fed substitute Abi Curley and her effort was grabbed by Graf before Hepburn’s long range effort went over the bar.
Austria began to push forward once again and Northern Ireland had to soak up some pressure before the Austrians extended their lead on 68 minutes, substitute Nefes Herdem scoring with a neat curler.
McLaughlin made a fantastic double save before Austria scored again through substitute Helena Nagy.
Northern Ireland kept battling away, however, and a strike from substitute Daisy-Lee Anderson was kept out by Graf.
In added time they got the goal their second half performance deserved. Substitute Siena Moore produced a great delivery from a corner which was handled by Karahasanovic inside the box. Curley took on the responsibility of taking the penalty and she duly delivered with a cool finish.
Northern Ireland’s final game in the group is against Italy in Sarpsborg on Tuesday (13 October) at 2pm BST. Italy have one point from their opening two games, so if Northern Ireland win that one they will retain their League A status for the next round of qualifiers.
Full-time: Austria WU17s 4-1 Northern Ireland WU17s
Line-ups
Austria: Franzisca Graf, Charlotte Ertl, Katja Weber, Ajlina Berisha, Madlene Winkler, Amrei Graf, Tanja Wildbacher, Ella Rauscha (captain), Mirella Karahasanovic, Emma Kaiser, Maya Lampl.
Substitutes: (used) Nefes Herdem, Alicia De Lima Silva, Jasmin Schaur, Lea Budimir, Helena Nagy; (unused) Maria Simonow (GK), Emely Gussnig, Nahla Ivanschitz, Elisabeth Emeji.
Northern Ireland WU17s: Saskia McLaughlin, Grace Steele, Anayah Lee, Sara Devany, Ellie-Mae Turner, Anna Smyth, Abigail Fitzsimmons, Grace Guest, Anna Rose Robinson, Leah Hepburn, Charley McMullan.
Substitutes: (used) Abigail Curley, Daisy-Lee Anderson, Ella Kitson, Siena Moore; (unused) Ifeoma Agoha, Grace Murray, Zion Donnan, Sasha Cowan, Connie Harper.
