Amber Barrett and Tyler Toland started tonight as the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team went down 1-0 to Portugal in a friendly at the Estadio San Miguel in The Azores.
In the first of two international friendlies this week, Dolores Silva’s second-half penalty was the only separator in a tight game.
St Johnston’s Toland played 87 minutes, while Milford woman Barrett got 81 minutes under her belt.
Toland was penalised for a foul on Andreia Norton for the only goal of the game.
Greencastle’s Roma McLaughlin and Glenties native Amy Boyle-Carr were unused substitutes.
Republic of Ireland WNT Head Coach Colin Bell said: “We’re disappointed. I thought we were a bit flat tonight and didn’t perform to the levels I know we can perform to.
“It was a silly goal to give away as all we had to do was clear the ball but instead, we let them come back inside with it and we give away a penalty. If that doesn’t happen, there is no way we’re conceding a goal from open play so that’s really disappointing.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in the rest of the week before Sunday’s second match. I want to see the levels improve and we’ll have to look at the starting line-up for that game.
“Of course, we’re already missing five key players due to injuries, who would be in our first-team, so we’ve got a number of young players in the squad. We’ll have to check the fitness of the players and have a look in training before making a decision.”
