Kilkenny’s Ellen Molloy continued the scoring form she found against Switzerland at the weekend with a first-half strike en route to a 2-0 win for Ireland’s U19s against Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
The Wexford Youths standout also had a hand in winning a penalty for the home side with Jess Stapleton converting to ensure all three points as Dave Scannell’s side bounced back from slender defeats to England and Switzerland this week.
England finish top of the group following the Limerick-based mini-tournament thanks to a 1-0 win over Switzerland on Tuesday.
The win today means a secured spot in Group A of the qualifiers.
Trademark Molloy
Molloy’s strike came in trademark form, ghosting her way through the Northern Ireland defence before firing home from close range on 34 minutes.
The visitors never really looked like getting going and were reduced to 10 players just after the hour mark with Molloy hauled down in the box, giving Jess Stapleton a chance to fire home for 2-0.
But for some quality shot-stopping from Northern Ireland’s Lillie Woods, Ireland could have ended this one four or five goals up.
Ireland will be in Group A for the second round of qualifiers next April.
Per the new qualifying format in place for 2021/22, League A Round 2 replaces the current elite round with the winners (and best runner-up) qualifying for the finals in the Czech Republic next summer. You can find out more about the new qualifying format here.
