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Sunday, October 18, 2026

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Northern Ireland Under-17 beaten by Italy

Northern Ireland’s Under-17s were beaten by Italy in their third and final UEFA Women’s U17 Euro 2027 qualifier this month.

For Northern Ireland’s final match in the four-team A1 mini tournament, staged in Norway, head coach Danielle McDowell Tuffey made five changes to the team that started the defeat to Austria in their second fixture. Northern Ireland had to win the game against the Italians to retain League A status for the next round of qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Ifeoma Agoha replaced Saskia McLaughlin, while defender Sasha Cowan, midfielder Zion Donnan and attackers Grace Murray and Abigail Curley were restored to the starting line-up after starting game one against Norway, which also ended in defeat. Defenders Anayah Lee and Ellie-Mae Turner, midfielder Anna Smyth and attacker Leah Hepburn dropped to the bench.

Anna Rose Robinson and Abigail Curley combined well in the final third to put the Italian defence under pressure in the early exchanges. However, both Italy attacker Sara Elshamy and defender Jana Oberparleiter had efforts thwarted before the Italians opened the scoring on 12 minutes through defender Emma Fiorani, who got on the end of a corner from captain Martina Battocchio to head the ball home.

Ifeoma Agoha saved shots from attackers Fabiana De Clemente and Siria Crotti before the Italians extended their lead in the 25th minute. It came from another Battocchio corner. This time the captain’s delivery was cleared, however it was met by midfielder Giorgia Rossi on the edge of the area and she found the back of the net with a sweet curler.

However, Northern Ireland did not lie down. A Charley McMullan corner was cleared back to her - but her effort was blocked.

Rossi forced another fine save out of Agoha before Battocchio fluffed a couple of opportunities and Elshamy had a shot blocked. On the stroke of half time McMullan’s free-kick was met by Grace Guest but her attempt was blocked.

The first attack of the second half saw Agoha tip a header from Fiorani over the bar before Elshamy’s shot was off target. Then Grace Steele made a fantastic block when Italy broke through. Agoha pushed out a De Clemente effort, however Battocchio pounced on the rebound to make it 3-0 to Italy.

On 61 minutes substitute Leah Hepburn played in Guest and her shot from outside the box was saved by Italy keeper Emilia Wenin. Curley and McMullan combined well to send Robinson free down the flank. She delivered an excellent cross which was gathered by Wenin.

On 67 minutes it was 4-0 to the Italians. Ferranti fired in a cross which struck Devany and ended up in the net.

Agoha produced another good stop, this time to keep out Battocchio. Ferranti and fellow sub Lucrezia Grigoli each had shots blocked and Agoha thwarted Battocchio once again.

In the closing stages Agoha had to be on her toes to keep out a strike from Italy sub Elisa Vianello, while Northern Ireland sub Siena Moore played a fine pass to Robinson and her shot went inches wide.

The result means Northern Ireland will be in League B for the second round of qualifiers next spring. Norway defeated Austria 4-2 today to win the A1 group.

Northern Ireland Under-17: Ifeoma Agoha, Grace Steele, Abigail Fitzsimmons, Sasha Cowan, Sara Devany, Zion Donnan, Grace Murray, Grace Guest, Anna Rose Robinson, Charley McMullan, Abigail Curley. Subs: Daisy-Lee Anderson, Leah Hepburn, Connie Harper, Anna Smyth, Siena Moore, Saskia McLaughlin, Anayah Lee, Ellie-Mae Turner, Ella Kitson.  

Italy Under-17: Emilia Wenin, Gaia Mariani, Sara Ferraro, Jana Oberparleiter, Emma Fiorani, Denise Gavazza, Fabiana De Clemente, Giorgia Rossi, Sara Elshamy, Martina Battocchio, Siria Crotti. Subs: Angelica Ferranti, Federica Faggioli, Sofia Chiessi, Lucrezia Grigoli, Elisa Vianello, Annalisa Ruotolo, Alessia Saragoni, Anna Dall’Ava, Josephine Brunetti.  

Source: www.irishfa.com