King: Ireland Under-17s are simply the best
Friday, 10 September 2010 16:36
Manager Noel King has hailed his Under-17 women's team as the best in Ireland in any code after they secured a 1-0 victory over Canada last night.
A 75th minute strike from Siobhán Killeen gave Ireland a famous victory over one of the game's major powers.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Paul O'Flynn, King said: 'If there's a better team in Ireland I don't know it and you can throw in all the sports. I do not know a better team at coming back against the odds.
'The countries we're playing against are mighty: Brazil; Canada; Sweden; Germany; Spain. This is a team - and I don't want to go on about it - we should be proud of.'
Killeen's rising shot to the top corner - her second goal of the tournament - was just part of a huge team effort in a fast and open game against the Canadians.
She said: 'I'm delighted, but I'm delighted for the team. It's a goal, but everything that came before the goal and after the goal is what won us the game. The goal is just the goal - it's just one bit of play in the 95 minutes.'
View our special photo gallery of Ireland's victory, including their unusual goal celebration.
Killeen added: 'It's unbelievable from the girls. It was top notch and it shows what we are capable of and what we are going to do hopefully right up to the final.'
Ghana beat Brazil 1-0 in their clash, leaving Ireland's Group finely poised with all four teams having a win apiece after two games.
Ireland face Ghana on Monday. A win would guarantee them a place in the quarter-final.
