Action from Northern Ireland WU19s v Republic of Ireland WU19s back in June
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 squad are continuing their preparations for Euro qualifiers next month by playing two friendlies against Wales WU19s this week.
The first of the games is at 4pm today at Colliers Park in Wrexham, and the two countries will play each other again at the same venue on Saturday.
Northern Ireland WU19s manager Alfie Wylie has made six changes to the squad that played two friendlies against the Republic of Ireland at the start of the summer.
Among those coming in is Lisburn Rangers defender Ella Haughey, who has been involved in senior squads this year.
Also joining the group of defenders within the 22-strong panel are Freja Scott (Norwich City Women) and Grace McKimm (Cliftonville Ladies).
And Wylie has brought in three midfielders. They are Aine Gorman (Sligo Rovers), Mia Little (Lisburn Rangers) and Cara Mervyn (Glentoran Women).
Missing out this time are Aimee Neal, Sarah Tweedie, Talia Keenan, Lucy Johnston, Rhyleigh Marks, Cora Morgan and Keri Halliday.
Although they lost both matches against the Republic, Wylie was pleased with the team’s overall performance and the depth in his squad. He is confident they can do well against the Welsh.
Northern Ireland have been drawn in Group A5 of the qualifiers for the Women’s U19 Euros 2022, which will be hosted by Czech Republic.
Switzerland, England and the Republic will provide the opposition in what is a tough qualifying group. The games are being staged at the end of next month.
The WU19s squad for the games against Wales includes:
Goalkeepers - Rachael Norney (Cliftonville Ladies), Lilie Crooks (Mid Ulster Ladies).
Defenders - Fi Morgan, Shona Davis and Grace McKimm (all Cliftonville Ladies), Jane McMaster and Kathryn McConnell (both Linfield Ladies), Ella Haughey (Lisburn Rangers), Freja Scott (Norwich City Women)
Midfielders – Helen Parker, Mia Little and Tierna Bell (all Lisburn Rangers), Abbie McHenry and Erin Montgomery (both Cliftonville Ladies), Cara Mervyn (Glentoran Women), Aine Gorman (Sligo Rovers), Zoe Rodgers (Crusaders Strikers).
Forwards – Eve Reilly and Ellie-Mae Dickson (both Lisburn Rangers), Katie Dickson (Linfield Ladies), Cora Chambers (Sion Swifts Ladies), Darcy Boyle (Crusaders Strikers)..
