Republic of Ireland U19 women knocked out after heavy loss to Sweden

Sweden U19 Women 5 Republic of Ireland U19 Women 1

The Republic of Ireland under-19 women’s team crashed out of the European Championship qualifiers at the first hurdle on Thursday following a heavy defeat in the concluding tie to mini-group hosts Sweden.

Conceding a late equaliser to Moldova on Monday meant Dave Connell’s side needed at least a draw to retain hopes of advancing to the elite phase and they surged into an early lead in Saffanstorp.

Megan Connolly's 24th-minute free-kick got the Irish off to a flyer, yet their rhythm was disrupted deep into first-half stoppage-time with an equaliser from Stina Blackstenius.

It was the first of four goals for the Swedish striker, as Ireland endured a second half to forget. Blackstenius had the home fans ecstatic a minute after the restart by making it 2-1 before she extended the lead with her hat-trick on the hour.

Another Blackstenius strike six minutes from the finish piled on the misery for Ireland, with substitute Linda Hallin completing the rout with Sweden's fifth past goalkeeper Brooke Dunne in the 89th minute.

Although Ireland nudged out Moldova for second place by a single goal in the final standings, they were the sole runner-up from the 11 groups to miss out on progression into the next phase of qualifiers.

Estonia had looked like doing Ireland a favour by racing into a 2-0 lead against Slovenia in Group Nine but then conceded four times without reply.

Elimination at the first phase marks a major disappointment for Ireland as the majority of the squad were part of last season’s group that not only qualified through both phases but reached the last four of the tournament in July, getting knocked out by eventual champions the Netherlands in the semi-final.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U19: B Dunne (Peamount); K Keenan (Raheny Utd), S Carson (Cork City), N Nelson (San Diego), S McCarthy (UCD Waves); L Dwyer (Raheny United), H Nolan (Peamount Utd); J Gargan (Peamount Utd), R Doyle (Raheny Utd), R McLaughlin (Greencastle); M Connolly (College Corinthians).

Subs: C McNamara (Cork City) for Carroll (79 mins) for Dwyer (49 mins), E Byrne (Peamount Utd) for McCarthy (74 mins), A Frawley (Wexford Youths) for Doyle (81 mins).