The Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19s registered an impressive performance in a 0-0 draw with Portugal in the first of two international friendly games at Centro de Estágios do Luso.Head Coach Dave Connell had to tweak his approach due to the late withdrawal of several players, but it was still a strong line-up with many players who have starred in the SSE Airtricity Women's National League already this year.These games were arranged to help with the preparations for the upcoming UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers, which will see Ireland travel to Poland to take on the hosts as well as Northern Ireland and France.It was Ireland who looked the more dangerous, even if Portugal did threaten on the counter attack and display moments of technical excellence from individual players.Cork City's Eva Mangan tried her luck from range in the first period but her effort looped over the crossbar just when it needed to dip in order to cross the line.After the interval, Lucy Brame came on for her debut. But it was Sophie Morrin who made the next vital contribution when her shot from distance whizzed narrowly wide of the Portuguese goal.On 63 minutes, Peamount United goalkeeper Summer Lawless was alert to make two quick saves as the home side attempted to force a breakthrough.Connell introduced three more players on 71 minutes with Michaela Lawrence, Orlaith O'Mahony and Chloe Atkinson coming on. And it didn't take long for O'Mahony to fire a shot at goal.
FULL-TIME | 🇵🇹 0-0 🇮🇪
No goals but plenty of positives for #IRLWU19 in Centro de Estágios do Luso#COYGIG | #WeAreOne— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) September 13, 2022
Ireland grew in confidence in the final quarter, with Meabh Russell and Michelle Doonan also coming off the bench, and they continued to push for the goal that their positive approach merited.The game ended in a draw but Connell will be able to pick a lot of good points from this display ahead of meeting the same opponent again on Thursday.Elsewhere, the Ireland Women's Under-16s recorded a 5-1 victory over Wales in Dragon Park, Newport.Lauryn McCabe - younger sister of WNT captain Katie - opened the scoring before Aoibhe Brennan, Hannah O’Brien (penalty), Sorcha Melia and Rebecca Devereux added their names to the scoresheet.Head Coach Tom Elmes will be pleased by the performance as much as the result with his team playing an attractive brand of football that was complimented by hard work on and off the ball.FixturesWomen's Under-19 International FriendlySeptember 15th | Portugal vs Republic of Ireland, Centro de Estágios do Luso, KO 17:00Women's Under-16 International FriendlySeptember 15th | Wales v Republic of Ireland, Dragon Park, Newport, KO 13:00
