Republic of Ireland U17s 1-1 Slovakia
Michaela Lawrence prodded home an 88th minute equaliser as Ireland fought back to draw 1-1 with Slovakia in the Women's Under-17 European Championship qualifier at Tallaght Stadium.
James Scott's team controlled the game from the off, with Lawrence and Orlaith O'Mahony dictating things in the middle of the pitch.
After a fantastic solo run in the 18th minute, Lia O’Leary nearly got the first goal of the game, but the ball hit off the inside of the post and into the Slovakian goalkeeper’s hands.
Ireland hit the woodwork! Lia O'Leary glides through the Slovakian defence, but her effort comes back off the post. It remains 0-0 in Tallaght in Under-17 Euro qualifier #IRLWU17
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2022
Live coverage on @RTEplayer 👉 https://t.co/58N1nTXdAZ pic.twitter.com/ZKpR1oF4SH
In the 26th minute after brilliant skill to dribble past two Slovakian players, Tara O’Hanlon crossed the ball into the box and hit off a Slovakian hand, but the penalty appeal was waved away by referee Olivia Tschon.
The visitors nearly got ahead in the game from a corner in the 40th minute, but Joy Ralph was there to clear the ball off the line to keep it level. Irish chances arrived after the break, but the hosts couldn’t convert.
Limerick native Lawrence almost made it 1-0 to Ireland when she struck a fantastic effort outside the box and it hit the crossbar.
PENALTY – Defender Eve Dawson makes a lunging challenge in the box as Ireland concede a penalty to Slovakia in the Under-17 Euro qualifier #IRLWU17
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2022
Live coverage on @RTEplayer 👉 https://t.co/58N1nTXdAZ pic.twitter.com/sJ6hSBEEjj
Slovakia were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute when Eve Dawson upended her Slovakian opponent, with Aneta Surova converting to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
GOAL - Slovakia take a 1-0 lead in Tallaght with Ireland goalkeeper Summer Lawless unable to get near Aneta Surova's spot-kick #IRLWU17
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2022
Live coverage on @RTEplayer 👉 https://t.co/58N1nTXdAZ pic.twitter.com/vFYR9VytoA
The home team - playing in front of 1,153 spectators - didn’t give up however, with substitute Aoife Kelly getting a great chance for a header but couldn’t get it on target.
Finally in the 88th minute after another fantastic free-kick into the box by O’Mahony, the ball was deflected out and Lawrence hit it home for the equaliser.
Next up for Ireland are Finland on Saturday at the same venue.
Republic of Ireland: Lawless; Thompson, Dossen, Fleming (Mackin 61), O’Hanlon (C); O’Mahony, Lawrence, Loughrey (Kelly 75); McCarn (Larkin 77), Ralph, O’Leary.
Slovakia: Stefanikova; Belicova, Vargova (C), Horvathova, Servatkova; Zigova, Strakova, Surova; Hruzikova, Hlavinkova, Vasakova.
Referee: Olivia Tschon (Austria).
