TEAM IRELAND Women’s Football Team – which includes a strong Donegal presence – overcame Brazil 1-0 last night in their opening game of the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade.
Lauren Kelly’s goal, 14 minutes from time gave Ireland a famous win over the 2017 Gold medallists at the Stadio San Mauro in Italy.
LyIT students Zoe McGlynn (Sion Swifts) and Zoe Green (Illies Celtic) are part of the Irish panel that has travelled to Naples for the tournament.
Letterkenny man Johnny Loughrey is with the Irish men’s team as a physio with Limerick’s Kathy Fahy looking after the women’s team .
Pictured: Zoe McGlynn and Zoe Green are with the Irish Team in Naples. Picture by Ed Scannell
Ireland started off with the better of the chances with Chloe Mustaki having a shot from 30 yards which just floated over the crossbar.
Ireland thought they had taken the lead after a quarter of an hour when Megan Smyth-Lynch had a shot from 30 yards which struck the crossbar and bounced down with footage unable to conclude whether it had crossed the line.
Ireland had the ball in the net just minutes later when Smyth-Lynch’s free kick was nodded in by Eleanor Ryan Doyle but as the Irish players ran off to celebrate, the celebrations were cut short by the Assistant Referee’s flag.
Just when it seemed as if a draw was the likely outcome, Kelly stunned Brazil with a cracking finish.
Ireland continued to control the possession and repelled any attack that Brazil could throw against them and kicked off scenes of celebration at the final whistle. It is a quick turnaround for the Girls as they face South Korea on Thursday in their final group game.
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