THREE Donegal players saw action this evening as the Republic of Ireland U-19 Women drew 1-1 with Scotland the first of two friendly internationals this week.
At Pat Kennedy Park in Listowel, Co Kerry, Zoe McGlynn (pictured above) from Raphoe, who plays for Sion Swifts, was joined by Greencastle FC’s Nicole Gordon in the starting XI. Gordon’s clubmate Sarah Jane McDonald came off the bench in the 74th minute. Roma McLaughlin, who is also from Greencastle, is still recovering from injury. Maz Sweeney from Fanad, based in Athlone, is part of the management team.
A big crowd gathered in Pat Kennedy Park to see local girl Savannah McCarthy lead out the team. And it could have started so brightly for the Irish girls but a Dearbhaile Beirne header came back off the crossbar.
Scotland took over for the middle part of the half and Erin Cuthbert in fine form pulling the stings in midfield both Abigail Harrison and Rachel McLauchlan went close.
The goal from Savannah that the crowd wanted almost came when she headed over from a Jamie Finn corner.
The breakthrough came in the 30th minute. Keeva Keenan, who had a great game, was fouled but referee Owen Moynihan played an excellent advantage and Keenan’s pass found McGlynn, who played in Beirne.
She cut in past the defender and placed a low ball to the corner of the net.
It remained that way until the 54th minute when Scotland equalised. McLauchlan and Harrison combined to play in Kirsty Hansen, who flashed her shot past Amanda McQuillan.
The Irish keeper was injured in a clash just before this and was replaced by Nadine Maher but it was her counterpart in the Scottish goal who would have the bigger influence on the game.
Rebecca Flaherty denied McCarthy, and the big Kerry crowd, the goal she craved with a full length dive in the 85th to tip the ball over.
Flaherty then denied Evelyn Daly the goal her display deserved by guessing right when Daly was in one on one with her.
Both managers left happy with the performance of their respective teams. The sides meet again on Thursday at Tulla United AFC in Co Clare (11am).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Amanda McQuillan, Fiona Donnelly, Nicole Gordon, Chloe Moloney, Savannah McCarthy, Evelyn Daly, Zoe McGlynn, Jamie Finn, Niamh Nelson, Dearbhaile Beirne, Keeva Keenan. Subs: Nadine Maher for McQuillan 54th min; Sarah Jane McDonald for Beirne 60; Lucy McCartan for Gordon 67; Emma Byrne for Nelson 78.
SCOTLAND: Rebecca Flaherty, Sarah Clelland, Cassie Cowper, Cailin Michie, Georgie Rafferty, Hayley Sinclair, Rachel McLauchlan, Erin Cuthbert, Kirsty Hansen, Abagail Harrison, Amy Gallagher. Subs: Courtney Whyte for Gallagher 45; Lia Tweedie for Hanson 63; Carla Boyce for Clelland 80; Chelsea Comet for Sinclair 88.
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