O’Connell calling the tune for Ireland

Ireland’s defensive rock at the U19 women’s European Championship, Ciara O’Connell, hits as many right notes off the pitch as on it.

Yesterday, in the wake of Monday’s 2-1 win over Sweden that sets up a semi-final tomorrow against the Netherlands, O’Connell had her team-mates packed around her at the squad base in Lillestrom on the outskirts of Oslo. Sitting at the Thon Hotel’s grand piano, the centre-back was once again centre-stage.

With the panel singing in unison to O’Connell’s tune, a high power Uefa delegation stopped in their tracks to admire the performance.