The game had the distinction of being a curtain raiser to the Dale Farm Milk Cup and followed the inaugural women’s one-day football festival featuring 10 teams from across the country in a 7-a-side Under-13 competition.
The game remained goalless until the 55th minute when the visitors went 1-0 up with a goal from Tiegan Ruddy. The Republic of Ireland then added a second two minutes from time through Niamh Sheehan.
Final score: Northern Ireland 0-2 Republic of Ireland
The game provided an extremely useful exercise for Alison Nicholl’s Under 17 side as they continue their preparations for the UEFA European U17 Women’s Championship qualifying round in FYR Macedonia later this year.
Northern Ireland will take on the hosts on September 28, before games against Bosnia & Herzegovina on September 30 and Italy on October 3.
Northern Ireland squad: Caiomhe Callaghan (Linfield), Lauren Currie (Portadown), Brooke Baine (Crusaders), Lauren Robson (Linfield), Blaithin Mackin (Newry), Megan Beattie (Crusaders), Chloe Orr (Mid Ulster), Rebecca Bassett (Glentoran), Katie Martin (Glentoran), Emma McMaster (Newry), Yasmin White (Glentoran), Caitlyn Hamilton (Dungoyne), Louise Crawford (Linfield), Aine Smith (Ballynahinch), Emma Harper (Killen), Ellie Rix (Ferman).
Northern Ireland's Rebecca Bassett in action with Republic of Ireland's Tiegan Rudy.