No luck for battling Ireland women
Dave Connell’s team knew they would not be making it out of Group B going into this game but still fought hard.
Norway’s goals came when Jenny Norem profited impressively from a loose ball at the back post and they got a second just before the break through an Ingrid Kvernvolden long-range strike.
“We played some fantastic football but we just didn’t score a goal. I’m very, very proud of our girls and w,” said Connell afterwards.
“It was a fantastic achievement to qualify and we performed well in our three games, but just didn’t get that bit of luck. We obviously came here to win the tournament, but we can be proud of our performances overall.”
Similar to their two previous games in this tournament – narrow losses to France and Switzerland – Ireland started brightly in their 4-3-3 formation.
However, they just weren’t clinical at key moments, like when Eleanor Ryan Doyle volleyed over following a clever scooped pass from Saoirse Noonan or when Heather Payne’s shot was deflected wide.
Norway, though, were fortunate more than clinical in front of goal. Norem scored when goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan dropped a cross and she poked the ball in at the back post.
Connell’s side fought back but Norway had a couple of more chances before they scored again with Kvernvolden spinning off McQuillan and into the net.
In the three games, McQuillan has been outstanding and is destined to become a senior international, but she didn’t have much luck on both goals. And that summed up Ireland’s three games overall – unrewarded for their positive play.
McQuillan (Maher 80); Donnelly, Finn, Moloney, Nolan; Daly, Noonan, Meaney (McCartan 52); McKevitt (Beirne 52), Ryan Doyle, Payne.
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