ROMA MCLAUGHLIN, who recently sealed a move to Women’s National League champions Shelbourne, played a lead role yesterday as the Republic of Ireland Under-19s hammered Portugal in a friendly.
The Greencastle woman switched from Peamount United to Shelbourne after two seasons having been named in the Team of the Season each time.
Midfielder McLaughlin was on form again yesterday for Ireland in a comprehensive 4-0 win.
Following a tight opening period, the Girls in Green finally broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. Leanne Kiernan, who was named the Continental Tyres Women’s National League Young Player of the Year last week, latched on to a sublime through ball from McLaughlin to finish into the far corner of the net.
It was Kiernan again who doubled Ireland’s advantage on the stroke of half time, finishing on the rebound after Alex Kavanagh’s initial shot was parried by the Portugeuse goalkeeper Ines Pereira.
[adrotate group=”46″]Ireland had to wait until the 82nd minute to add to their tally. Tegan Ruddy whipped an inviting free kick from wide on the left that was met at the back post by a brilliant header by Chloe Moloney.
There was still time for a relentless Ireland to find a fourth as Dearbhaile Beirne’s cool finish gave the Girls in Green the perfect ending to a clinical display.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Dave Connell was delighted with what he saw from his side. “We picked up where we left off in the qualifying round with a very good performance,” he said.
[adrotate group=”76″]“We played some fantastic football and could have scored more.
“We looked solid at the back, the midfield linked the play excellently, and we have a lot of players that can score goals, so it was as good as a performance as we have put in in a long time.”
McLaughlin and Ireland face the Netherlands on Thursday in their next assignment.
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