The Ireland Women's Under-19s started a three-game stint with an impressive 7-0 victory over Wales in Collier Park, Wrexham.Shamrock Rovers forward Joy Ralph netted twice while Kate McCarn, Freya Healy, Kate Parsons, Ceola Bergin and Hannah Healy got one apiece.Head Coach Dave Connell is keen to use the two games against Wales and the match with Northern Ireland to help build a new team in time for their UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign.From this display, it certainly looks like they are moving in the right direction - and at a good speed too. In fact, speed was a key factor in this win as the Girls in Green broke forward at a pace that their hosts could not handle.
FULL-TIME | 🇮🇪 7-0 🏴
Victory for #IRLWU19 in International Friendly 👍
Goals came from Joy Ralph (2), Kate McCann, Freya Healy, Kate Parsons, Ceola Bergin & Hannah Healy.#COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/6cA8ff2oUY
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 20, 2023
Ralph got things started with the opening goal on 13 minutes but that was how it stayed going in at the break. But Ireland shifted up to another speed in the second half and the goals followed.Connell was able to introduce a lot of substitutes and they each made a difference as the goals kept coming. It was a good start for what is an important camp for this team.Ireland: Katie Keane; Meabh Russell (Aoife Turner 58), Kate Thompson, Mary Phillips (Aoibhe Fleming 75), Lia O'Leary; Jess Fitzgerald (Aoife Kelly 69), Ellen Dolan (Jodie Loughrey 58); Rola Olusola (Ruby McCarthy 75), Freya Healy (Hannah Healy 69), Katie McCarn (Kate Parsons 58); Joy Ralph (Ceola Bergin 69).Wales: Grace Pilling; Maisie Miller, Olivia Owen, Mayzee Davies, Lauren Davies; Charlotte Lee, Faye Knox, Lily Billingham, Olivia Francis, Manon Pearce, Tianna Teisar.Referee: Arthur Smallman.International FriendliesWednesday, September 20 | Ireland 7-0 WalesFriday, September 22 | Ireland v Wales | Collier Park, Wrexham | KO 16:00Sunday, September 24 | Northern Ireland v Ireland | Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast | KO 14:30
