GLENTIES Comprehensive soccer star Amy Boyle Carr scored again at the international tournament to help seal a win for Ireland’s U16 Girls over hosts Hungary and win the title.
Carr (15) and another Donegal player Tyler Toland were the stars of the tournament.
Sharon Boyle’s side ran out 3-1 winners today, and won the tournament, despite losing influential defender Tiegan Ruddy to a red card two minutes before half-time.
Ruddy had headed the Irish in front after seven minutes when she connected with a Lauryn Grier corner.
Unfortunately Ruddy’s afternoon came to an early finish as she was dismissed for a foul which resulted in a home penalty that was duly converted by Antonia Andre to level matters just before the break.
Boyle’s charges regrouped at half-time and showed great resolve to hold the Hungarians at bay then scored twice midway through the second half to seal the victory and complete a clean sweep of wins this week.
Carla McManus put Ireland 2-1 up with a brilliant individual goal, turning a defender before slotting the ball past the advancing keeper in the 49th minute. Amy Boyle Carr made it 3-1 with nine minutes left when she linked up with Tyler Toland before finding the net with a composed finish.
Boyle was naturally very pleased with the work put in by her players and staff this week and believes many of the players have shown that they can be assets to WU17 Head Coach Dave Bell in next season’s UEFA Championships Qualifying campaign.
“We played very well again. We made three more changes so the girls who hadn’t started before today got a start and had that experience of walking out for national anthem and going through that process,” said Boyle.
“We passed the ball well, worked it through thirds well and threatened to exploit their weaknesses that we had identified through our analysis. We looked to press them in the right areas and I felt we did that.
“After the first goal they pressed us a bit but didn’t really trouble our keeper much until Tiegan was unfortunately sent off and they got the opportunity to equalise from the penalty.
“We regrouped at half-time and it was noticeable that the players were all very down at the break but we told the girls that they need to learn that no matter what’s going on out there on the pitch you have to pick yourself up and do your job.
“If they hadn’t got their minds back on the task at hand we could have got a hiding but they all stood up and showed leadership. We had to change our shape a little but we went out for second half and kept things tight and defended extremely well.
“Both of our goals in the second half showed Individual quality from Carla McManus and Amy Boyle Carr. Players like those girls, Tyler Toland, Lauryn Grier and others were very good this week and I believe many of this squad can go into the trials with Dave Bell’s U17s full of confidence.
“Overall we’re delighted with how the week went. We came here to develop the players and for them to learn what it’s like to be away from home and adjust to this level of the game. Five of them are eligible for U16 again next season. The staff were all great and deserve recognition for their great work this week.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Erica Turner, Harriet Lambe, Aoife Fennell, Tiegan Ruddy, Sadhbh Doyle, Tyler Toland, Megan Mackey, Gillian Keenan, Lauryn Grier, Carla McManus, Tara Cully. Subs: Keelin McEntee for Fennell 30 mins; Bethany Fensom Carroll for Lambe 37; Rachel Baynes for McManus 49; Amy Boyle Carr for Cully 49; Hannah O’Donoghue for Keenan 73; Emma Lawlor for Mackey 81; Sally Kelly for Turner 81.
RESULTS
UEFA Women’s U16 Development Tournament
Sunday, May 8
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Slovakia, Bük, Hungary
Tuesday, May 10
Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-3 Republic of Ireland, Bük, Hungary
Thursday, May 12
Hungary 1-3 Republic of Ireland, Bük, Hungary
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