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Zoe’s goals help Ireland qualify
02.10.08
Striker helps Republic
edge closer to UEFA finals
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen
Independent
CARN FC’s Zoe Doherty and her Republic of Ireland
under-19 women’s team has reached the elite
qualifying phase of the European Championships
following a hugely successful pre-qualifying
tournament in Israel over the weekend.
Doherty led the line for the Republic on Friday,
netting two goals in the 3-0 win over hosts Israel
in Haifa. Having impressed in a substitute’s
appearance in Ireland’s 3-0 win over Greece last
Wednesday, manager Susan Ronan handed her a start
against Israel and the Carn striker repaid her in
spades scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes.
The Israeli defence failed to clear from a corner
and Doherty powered an unstoppable shot to the back
of the net for her first goal at under-19 level. She
doubled Ireland’s advantage when the Israeli defence
could only half clear from a dangerous position. The
ball was flicked back in to Doherty who applied the
slightest touch to take the ball over the keeper and
it nestled in the Israeli net.
A third goal in the 81st minute from team captain
Louise Quinn rounded off a fine display, and
guaranteed Ireland’s place in the elite qualifying
phase next April. |
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“It was nice to get the
goals, but the team winning and qualifying was the
main thing,” Doherty said from her team hotel in
Haifa yesterday morning.
Zoe was again involved yesterday as Ireland came
from behind to beat Iceland 5-1 and top the group.
Her strike partner Amy Ryan bagged four goals and
with Zoe setting up two of those, it’s clear that
the pair have developed a good understanding.
“I’ve played with Amy since under-17, and we’re both
really enjoying ourselves,” Zoe said. “The under-19
side play with a more attacking formation, with two
up front |
and that’s helped us
both.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from the girls
in the past week,” said team manager Susan Ronan.
“There was no single player that you could pick out
and say that they were the star performer. The team
as a whole were amazing, they have really gelled
over the past number of weeks and I don’t think that
they will fear anybody in the elite qualifying phase
if we go on and actually improve on these three
performances.” The Irish will now have to wait until
December to learn who their opponents will be in for
the final hurdle of qualification to the UEFA
Championship finals in Belarus in 2009. Zoe returns
from Israel later today and starts college at Dublin
City University where she will study Sports, Science
and Health. “I was supposed to start last week, but
they have been very understanding,” she said. |
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