Goals from Anna Butler and Grace Ehinger led the Ireland Women's Under-16s to a 2-1 victory over Austria in their UEFA Development Tournament in Portugal.
Having lost to Portugal in their opening game, the Girls in Green bounced back with this deserved win at the Estadio Carla Sacramento on Saturday afternoon.
Ireland had to work hard to seize control of this game after Austria started brightly and forced goalkeeper Laura Fanning into a diving save after just seven minutes played.
It was Austria who flicked the scoreboard into action first when Alina Kerschbaumer fired in from close range after an attempted clearance fell to No. 7 inside the penalty area.
Tom Elmes's team grew in confidence and created a couple of goalscoring opportunities, with Ella Kelly, Emma Gaughran and Butler all going close before they eventually got their equaliser.
SUPER GOAL | #IRLWU16 | 🇮🇪 2-1 🇦🇹
Check out this excellent winner from Grace Ehinger 💥#COYGIG pic.twitter.com/1iEfuzuVAr— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 19, 2024
A free-kick into the Austria penalty area fell to Aoife Colbert-Martin to shoot at goal, but it took a deflection off Butler to outwit the opposing goalkeeper and make it 1-1 just before the half-time break.
Ireland looked more likely to take the lead in the second period and that is what happened on 59 minutes when Ehinger raced free of her marker before blasting in at the near post.
Substitute Madison McGuane fired over late on from inside the penalty area but it didn't matter as Ireland had done enough to win this one.
Next up is a tough encounter with France on Tuesday, as they look to close out this tournament on a high.
Ireland: Laura Fanning; Abigail Bradshaw (Aoife Sheridan 63), Kaitlyn Delahunty (Grace Ehinger 46), Aibhlinn Cotter (Heather Loomes 46); Aisling Meehan (Kate Jones 46), Sarah McCaffrey (Emma Mooney 63), Finley Newell, Emma Gaughran; Aoife Colbert-Martin (Madison McGuane 46), Anna Butler (Maeve Wollmer 79), Ella Kelly.
2024 UEFA U16 Development Tournament
Thursday, May 16th: Portugal 3-1 Ireland
Saturday, May 18th: Ireland 2-1 Austria
Tuesday, May 21st: France v Ireland, Estadio de Medideira, KO 11:00
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