Denise O’Sullivan goal secures third place for Ireland at Pinatar Cup

Playmaker’s quick thinking pays off as she scores 17th international goal


Republic of Ireland 1 Wales 0

The Republic of Ireland finished third at the Pinatar Cup in La Manga, Spain after this competent victory over a poor Welsh outfit.

Denise O’Sullivan’s 17th international goal was created by the Cork No 10’s rapid thinking to pick off a sloppy clearance before unleashing a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Besides Kyra Carusa's early miss, having rounded the Welsh goalkeeper Olivia Clarke she shot wide, Ireland showed a worrying trait of sitting back and inviting the opposition onto them.

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Not that Wales ever looked capable of equalising as Irish manager Vera Pauw continued to use this tournament to blood talent like Abbie Larkin, with the 16-year-old introduced for Carusa at half-time.

Ireland’s next match is the World Cup qualifier away to Sweden on April 12th.

IRELAND: Brosnan (Everton); Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), McCarthy (Galway WFC); Ziu (Shelbourne), O'Sullivan (NC Courage), Littlejohn (Aston Villa), McCabe (Arsenal); Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Carusa (HB Koge), Payne (FS Seminoles).

Subs: Larkin (Shelbourne) for Carusa (half-time), Badana (DLR Waves) for Brosnan, Kiernan (Liverpool) for Payne (both 63), Barrett (FC Koln) for Lucy Quinn (85).