This article is from page 81 of the 2007-04-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 81 JPG
LIFFORD played the Tipperary League in an under 16 friendly over the Easter break and it was the Clare side that emerged victorious on a 1-0 scoreline.
Lifford took the lead in the first half through Toni Lagan. Naomi Carroll hit a rasper of a shot which the keep- er parried. Lagan was lurking in the area and was quickest to react. She pounced on the loose ball, making no mistake from close range.
Lagan and Lifford came close to doubling their lead a few minutes later. She was one on one with the keeper who made a good save.
Captain Cathy Hayes and Niamh O’Dea were outstanding at the heart of the Lifford defence — in the cen- tre half and sweeper positions re- spectively. Laurie Ryan, Caitriona Hennessy and Ashling Darcy were equally as outstanding for the away side.
THE Republic of Ireland schools
team participated in the Celtic Na- tionals Schools’ Championship fea- turing Scotland and Wales and fin- ished in top spot.
There was Clare interest in the form of Naomi Carroll who started against Scotland and come on as a 35th minute substitute against Wales. Maria McMahon also made the squad but had to withdraw due to injury
IRELAND have failed to qualify for the Elite Phase of the under 19
Championships after losing to France in their final group two match.
It started off brightly for the Irish, recording two 1-0 victories over Por- tugal and then the Netherlands with Aine O’Gorman and Diane Caldwell netting the all-decisive winners.
Ireland faced France in their final eroup encounter and with France’s superior goal difference Ireland knew they needed to take all 3 points. De- spite putting in a brave performance they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, both of the goals coming in the first half.
Each of the group winners takes their place in the finals in Iceland along with the best runners up. Ire- land completed their group in second place with six points and were denied the latter spot by Italy, who qualify with 7 points.
Jennifer Critchley of Lifford was on the squad and played a part in all three games.
She was in the starting line up against Portugal and the Netherlands and she came on as a half time sub- stitute in the game against France.