Ireland's women's senior international team got their USA Indiana training camp off to a flying start with a 2 - 1 victory in record breaking temperatures of 95 degrees.
The home team started the game in whirlwind fashion and dominated the opening exchanges with some brilliant creative possession play. Irish goalkeeper, Lynn Bradley pulled off a magnificent save to deny Indiana after ten minutes while defender, Meabh De Burcha made a last ditch tackle to deny Indiana a certain goal five minutes later.
Ireland gradually got a foothold in the game as the midfield four of Connor, McDonnell, Curtis and Juborski got to terms with their illustrious opponents, negating most of the earlier threats.
In the 20minute Stefanie Curtis should have scored when she shot over from six yards. Ireland continued to frustrate Indiana with some inspired defensive play as they set up a series of impressive counter attacks through the running powers of O'Sullivan and O'Gorman.
Encouraged by their first half performance, Ireland grew in confidence, with Curtis, O'Gorman and O'Sullivan all going close, early in the second half. After 59 minutes, Ireland ensured that their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard as Fiona O'Sullivan unleashed a 22 yard shot from which a wicked deflection left the Indiana keeper helpless as it nestled in the back of the net.
O'Sullivan was on hand yet again in the 75th minute to double Ireland's lead from the penalty spot following a sharp move from Stephanie Roche who played it into O'Sullivan who was hauled down in the box.
Indiana responded instantly and they attacked in numbers in search of a goal to get them back into the game. The girls in green absorbed the threat and with some good fortune, stout defending and a couple of missed opportunities Ireland managed to keep FC Indiana scoreless.
Indiana did pull one back in the 6th minute of injury time when following a corner from the left.
Irish manager Noel King expressed his joy at the result in the opening game of the Republic of Ireland's training camp in the USA, "The girls have been acclimatising all week and working hard in training. Tonight they gave their all for the green jersey and not only mastered difficult weather conditions, but they also beat a very good Indiana team full of world class International players. Given the difficulties of settling in, I was pleasantly surprised at how we coped. In a camp like this winning matches is not essential, but I would be lying if I said tonight's result didn't give everyone in the squad immense satisfaction and a huge lift. We will enjoy it and get back to work tomorrow morning," said King.
Republic of Ireland team
Lynne Bradley, Jenna Fiooralli, Meabh De Burcha, Niamh Fahey
Yvonne Treacy, Jemma Connor, Shannon McDonnell, Rachel Juborski, Fiona O'Sullivan, Aine O'Gorman, Stephanie Curtis
Substitutes
Diane Caldwell (Treacy 45mins), Marie Curtain (Fiooralli 45mins), Noelle Murray (O'Gorman 84 mins), Bartholemew Kendall, Shannon Smyth
Chicago Red Stars 0 - 1 Republic of Ireland
Aine O Gorman (38)
Sunday, July 5, 2009 Benedictine University
O'Gorman strike gives Irish women second USA victory
A brilliant Diane Caldwell through ball on 38minutes was latched onto by Stella Maris striker Aine O Gorman, who controlled it into her path before calmly stroking it past the advancing Swedish international keeper Johanssen, to give Ireland the lead, and a second straight victory on their Indiana training camp.
With temperatures reaching 83 degrees, Ireland struggled in the opening period to get to terms with their illustrious opponents as they moved the ball and maintained the lion's share of possession.
With some of the best women footballers in the world on show from Sweden Brazil, USA, Australia and England playing for the Chicago red Stars, Ireland expected a difficult game and got it as Chicago dominated the opening minutes.
As with their opening victory against FC Indiana, the Irish girls defended stoutly and gradually worked their way into the game with Emma Byrne, Niamh Fahey and MT McDonnell outstanding at the back, snuffing out the threat of Brazilian Christiane, American Carly Lylod and Arsenal winger Karen Karney.
In front of a large attendance, Ireland grew in confidence and threatened with counterattacks through O' Gorman and O' Sullivan initiated by Shannon McDonnell and Jemma Connor.
As the game moved into the final minutes Chicago piled on the pressure, but were unable to level the score, due to incredible Irish spirit, excellent defending and a slice of good fortune.
Irish manager Noel King was full of praise for his team, "I would never have believed we could have won the opening two games against such quality teams and world class players. We took these games to push ourselves to the next level and I'm so glad we did as I'm witnessing player and team development on a daily basis out here.These girls badly want to progress, and their desire to do so will make it happen."
Emma Byrne, Diane Caldwell, (Yvonne Treacy 60min) Meabh DaBurcha, Niamh Fahey, MT McDonnell, Shannon McDonnell, Jemma Connor,( Sonya Hughes 60min) Rachel Jukabowski, (M O Brien 45) Stephanie Curtis (S Smyth 45min) Aine O Gorman, Fiona O Sullivan (Marie Curtin 60min) Not used L Bradley, S Roche, N Murray
