Irish U17 Women complete perfect record in achieving qualification for Elite Round

Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-17s progressed to the Elite Round of the European Championships as they capped off a perfect qualifying group with a 2-0 victory over Greece.

The Irish topped their group with a 100% record as they won all three games while scoring five goals and conceding none in the process.

Colin Bell’s side kicked off the group with a 1-0 victory over hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to a late header from Megan Mackey.

Ireland then secured qualification to the Elite Round with a 2-0 win over Romania as Tyler Toland and Isibeal Atkinson scored a penalty each towards the end of either half.

The U17s maintained their 100% record on Saturday as they topped the group with another 2-0 win, this time over Greece with goals coming from Ciara Fowler and Louise Masterson.

"We controlled everything today, dominated the play and really we should have scored a few more goals. We didn't let them have one chance during the match and some of the aspects of our play were really good.

“We were able to move the ball really quickly and we kept possession really well so that was really good to see,” manager Colin Bell said following the victory over Greece.

Bell praised his side who he felt progressed through each game, having to work against Bosnia but being the better team in the games against Romania and Greece.

“It was a really mature performance. We didn't know what to expect from the group really but since that first game against Bosnia where we had to really work for the result, we've gone on to play some really good football. In the last two games, we've clearly been the better team,” Bell said.

Being manager of both the under 17 side and the senior women’s national teams, Bell believes the style of football this group of players are playing now will be beneficial when they reach senior level in the future.

“I'm really happy that they're starting to develop that style of play as that is what we've been working on and if we can instil that style in the players at a younger age, it's obviously going to be beneficial for the senior team in the years to come.”

Ireland now await the draw for the Elite Round when they will look to qualify for a second successive U17 European Championship, to be held in Lithuania in May 2018.