Megan Mackey stars as Ireland hit back to seal top spot

Ireland 4 Iceland 1: Ireland will enter the elite qualifying stage of the European Women’s U17 Championship as top seeds after last night’s 4-1 victory over Iceland finished off a perfect weekend.

Irish keeper Rachael Kelly was powerless just before the half-hour mark for the game’s opener; Sveindis Jonsdottir’s excellent cross found the head of Hlin Eiriksdottir to head home.

The Irish, who came into the game tied on top with Iceland, restored parity a minute before the break. Heather Payne broke down the right-flank before powering a low cross that Carla McManus deftly deflected into the far corner.

Visiting custodian Birta Guolaugsdottir had her head in her hands 11 minutes into the second half. She spilled Isibeal Carolan’s cross, allowing Alannah McEvoy to apply pressure and trickle the ball over the goal-line.

Ireland sealed the deal in emphatic fashion 10 minutes from the end, Megan Mackey thundering a volley into the roof of the net following Payne’s fine work and the pair combined once more for Ireland’s fourth; Mackey rolling it into the far corner of the net.

IRELAND:

R Kelly (Shelbourne); S Doyle (Galway WFC), T Ruddy (Peamount), T Toland (Maiden City), L Grier (Kentstown Rovers); M Mackey (Chelsea), O Casey (Wexford Youths) (C Singleton (Peamount) 78); H Payne (Peamount), A McEvoy (Enniskerry), I Carolan (Enniskerry) (T Mannix (Cork City WFC) 72); C McManus (Peamount) (A Lynagh (Salthill Devon) 80).

ICELAND:

B Guölaugsdóttir; MB Fjölinsdóttir (K Vilhjálmsdóttir 76), VB Sigurbjörnsdóttir, SM Steinarsdóttir, DD Guönadóttir; S Ragnarsdóttir (K Jack 61), A Jóhannsdóttir; SJ Jónsdóttir; H Eiríksdóttir, BF Einarsdóttir, S Jóhannesdóttir.

Referee:

M Ozçi?gdem (TUR).