Ireland U17s heading home after losing out to Japanese

THE Republic of Ireland women’s U17 side were defeated 2-1 by a strong Japanese side in the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup quarter-final in Trinidad on Friday night.

Ireland’s World Cup hopes were dented in the 34th minute when Canadian referee, Michelle Pye gifted a penalty to Japan as Maomoto duly converted.

But Ireland hit back in the 53rd minute through Denise O’Sullivan who was in sensational form for the Irish throughout.