Irish ‘History Girls’ stun England

Republic of Ireland 2 England 1

Savannah McCarthy and Keeva Keenan headed in second-half goals to reply to England’s opener as Dave Connell’s side picked up a second straight win.

After recording a 1-0 win over Spain in their opening Group B game, confidence was high in the Ireland camp.

England, beaten by Sweden last Tuesday, lined up with a young side and found it difficult to contain Ireland’s tricky attacking trio of Sarah Rowe, Clare Shine, and Katie McCabe.

Cork star Shine almost made them pay for slack marking on five minutes when she controlled the ball before letting fly with a shot from distance, only for it to whistle wide of the goal.

Against the run of play, England, winners in 2009, took the lead, when Millie Turner chipped into the penalty area for striker Claudia Walker to head past Ireland keeper Brooke Dunne.

Ireland fought back, Shine again trying her luck before Kerry native McCarthy rose highest to head in Connolly’s corner.

Injury forced Shine off, but Ireland rallied and found the winner through Keenan, who also headed in from a Connolly set-piece. Next up is Sweden on Monday and a possible route into the semi-finals.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Dunne; Wright, O’Connell, McCarthy, Mustaki (Keenan 69); O’Connor, Dwyer, Connolly; Rowe, Shine (Nolan 75), McCabe.

ENGLAND: Baggaley; Mills, Bartrip, Sampson, Ayane; Cusack, Turner (Steele 75), Dear; Mayling, Walker, Humphrey (Haines 75).

Referee: Anastasia Pustovoitova (Russia).