The Ireland U23/NDG and Wales faced off on a sunny Friday evening at the University of Ulster Jordanstown Campus in the first of three Development Friendlies over the weekend.
The 1st half was a cagey affair with defences on top and attacks lacking cohesion. Consequently play was predominately in the midfield.
The 3rd quarter was much the same fare, with a lot of effort reaping few rewards.
In the 4th quarter Ireland began to put together more fluid attacks and were rewarded with penalty corners. Midway through the quarter, Orla Macken struck one home to give the Irish a 1-0 lead. Despite a few Welsh attacks the Irish defence held firm for a 1-0 victory.
Squads
Ireland Women U23/NDG: Orla Macken. Sara Patton, Ellen Reid, Nadia Benallal, Siofra Murdoch, Abbie Russell, Roisin Begley, Caoimhe Perdue, Jane Kilpatrick, Amy Elliott, Anna Horan, Niamh Carey, Lisa Mulcahy, Ellen Curran, KJ Marshall
Wales Senior Women: Beth Bingham. Ella Jackson (GK), Eloise Laity, Emily Drysdale, Emily
Rowlands, Izzie Howell, Izzy Webb, Jo Westwood, Livvy Hoskins, Megan Lewis-Williams, Millie Holme, Natasha Marke-Jones, Phoebe Richards, Rose Thomas (GK), Sara Davies, Sarah-Jayne Thorburn, Sian French, Sophie Robinson, Xenna Hughes.
