ROMA MCLAUGHLIN’S Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-19s have secured a place in the Uefa European Championship Elite Phase qualifiers after being awarded a 3-0 victory over Slovenia.
Dave Connell’s team drew 1-1 with Slovenia in their opening First Phase game on Tuesday but that has been marked off due to the host nation fielded an ineligible player.
Uefa investigated the incident and have ruled that the fixture will be marked down in favour of Ireland winning 3-0, which means they are through to next year’s Elite Phase qualifiers despite having one game still to play.
“We wouldn’t have liked it to turn out that way but rules are rules. The girls are delighted and the pressure is off for the Russia game, but we’re looking forward to that now,” said Connell.
McLaughlin (pictured above), from Greencastle and on the books of Peamount United in Dublin, went off injured in that opening 1-1 draw with Slovenia but was an 85th minute substitute in Thursday’s 6-0 win over Bulgaria. Megan Connolly netted four times while captain Savannah McCarthy and winger Jessica Nolan got one apiece.
Mazz Sweeney from Fanad is part of Connell’s backroom team.
Ireland play Russia, who also have six points from two outings, in Gornja Radgona on Sunday at 3pm.
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