noelyf
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Siobhan Killeen celebrates her winning goal with Stacie Donnelly
Thursday, 9 September 2010
The Republic of Ireland Under-17 women's team have beaten Canada in their World Cup encounter in Larry Gomes Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago.
Ireland started positively against Canada as they went in search of the win or draw they needed to kickstart their World Cup campaign.
Ireland's goalscorer against Brazil, Siobhan Killeen from Raheny in Dublin, was lively again from the start. And so too was striker Denise O'Sullivan who's hard work won a corner in the third minute which was met powerfully in the air by defender Jennifer Byrne but she was unable to find the net.
Canada's keeper was jittery under the high ball and was lucky not to concede when she stopped but then fumbled a Killeen strike.
Ireland had the lion's share of possession in the opening 20 minutes and their set-piece prowess was again on show when Jessica Gleeson headed just wide from a corner.
Canada came back into it and had the chance of the half on 20 minutes when Caroline Beaulne beat two Irish defenders with some fantastic footwork before Haisha Cantave forced a save from Grace Moloney.
Mayo's Aileen Gilroy flashed a thunderous strike just over the bar on the half hour, while Canada's pacey forward line caused the Irish defence some concern. Cantave and Beulne continued to look the most likely sources of a Canadian goal while Gilroy's strength down the right caused problems at the other end.
Despite all the chances, an open and entertaining first half ended goalless.
Some sloppy play at the back could have cost Ireland dearly at the start of the second half, but Cantave was unable to finish either of two good chances.
Needing inspiration, captain Dora Gorman led by example and drove Ireland forward from midfield with the first of three efforts on goal in three minutes. Raheny United's Killeen made the Canada keeper work too before dead-ball specialist Megan Campbell hit a long-range free kick on target.
Temperatures were slightly cooler than in the opening match against Brazil and that allowed Ireland to keep up their high tempo game and it paid rewards in the final quarter.
Fifteen minutes from time Stacie Donnelly showed huge determination to win back the ball and then set up Killeen who blasted home another rocket from distance - her second of the tournament to keep Ireland's world cup dream alive.
In the frenetic closing stages Ireland manager Noel King was sent from the bench on the advice of the fourth official; however, Ireland hung on without their touchline influence. Moloney pulled off another outstanding save to keep a clean sheet and Ireland now have a great chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Well done Ireland
