Ireland off to flyer after twin first-half strikes
With just one team to qualify from the four-team group , the hosts knew that a good start was vital.
The visitors began the game on top, but once Ireland settled, they showed themselves to be well able to compete. The opening goal arrived after 14 minutes as Roma McLaughlin found Ryan-Doyle, who turned Grace Fisk and then slotted a low shot past Sian Rogers.
Ireland’s second goal came after good work from Aislinn Meaney and Ryan-Doyle as local girl Noonan’s looping effort from the edge of the box flew over Rogers’ head.
England captain Chloe Kelly looked to have got a goal back in the second half but it was ruled out for offside. From there, Ireland captain Jamie Finn led a stout defensive effort while Evelyn Daly’s hard work in midfield was symptomatic of the Irish effort.
Tomorrow’s group clash with the Netherlands (3pm at Turner’s Cross) has the air of a decider following the Dutch’s 5-1 win over Hungary at St Colman’s Park.
McQuillan (Raheny United); O’Callaghan (Peamount United), Finn (Raheny), Maloney (Connolly Celtic), Higgins (Shelbourne) (Prior 61); Meaney (Lifford), Noonan (Douglas Hall), McLaughlin (Greencastle), Daly (Lakewood Athletic) (McCartan 80), McKevitt (Peake Villa) (Beirne 54); Eleanor Ryan-Doyle (Peamount).
Rogers; Patten, Fisk, Wubben-Moy, Pacheco (Allen 73); Peplow, Russo, Finnigan; Devlin (Hinds half-time), Kelly, Stanway.
D Milkova (Bulgaria).
