Farrelly and McKevitt goals see Ireland through

The Republic of Ireland Women’s U17 team yesterday qualified for the Elite Phase of the 2014-15 Uefa European Women’s U17 Championships with a game to spare.

Goals from Niamh Farrelly and Sarah McKevitt saw Dave Connell’s side beat Romania 2-0 in Serbia to leave them on full points from two games in their qualifying round mini-tournament.

Ireland now play hosts Serbia, who beat Lithuania 4-1, on Wednesday knowing that a draw will see them top the Group 4. Connell made just one change from the side which defeated Lithuania in Friday’s opener with Farrelly coming in for the injured Saoirse Noonan and it proved to be an inspired choice as the Peamount United midfielder fired Ireland into the lead after 18 minutes with a 35-yard volley that screamed over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net.

Ireland dominated throughout and created 14 chances, hit the target seven times and forced nine corners but could only manage one more goal and that came in the 56 minute when Dearbhaile Beirne broke the left, skipped past two players and crossed to the far post where Sarah McKevitt showed great skill in firing the ball first time past the keeper from an acute angle.