Head Coach Dave Connell was full of praise for the Ireland Women's Under-19s after they finished their 2024 UEFA WU19 European Championships campaign.

A defeat to Netherlands ended their involvement in the tournament in Lithuania having previously drawn with holders Spain and lost narrowly to last year's runners-up Germany. But there was a lot to be upbeat about when it came to their performances.

"We brought something different to the tournament. Three different kind of games in terms of our setup. But overall, the effort from the girls was sensational and I'm really, really proud of them all," said Connell.

"We were unlucky, probably, in a few games. But overall, it was a great experience for the players, particularly the girls who were going to go over age, the 2005s.

"So, it was a pleasure being part of the journey with them. But overall, it was absolutely fabulous, really couldn’t have asked for more from the girls."

This was the second time that Connell had guided a team to the WU19 EUROs, but hopes that this experience will spur on the next generation and ensure that the 10-year gap between those two tournaments is not as long.

"You know you can't guarantee anything in football or in life but we'd like to think that the experience of the younger players which I think is 13, 14 of them like hopefully that can continue in and drive them on to be part of another finals next year," he said.

"It doesn't always work out that way, it's been 10 years since we got, since we've been here but hopefully we can get this group of players to a finals quicker than that."

Connell was able to use 18 of the 20 players in his squad across the three games and directed credit towards the support staff who worked tirelessly to provide the players with everything that they required.

The Ireland squad will return home knowing that they performed as best as they could and proved that they were able to compete amongst Europe's elite.

Fixtures / Results
Monday, July 15th | Spain 0-0 Ireland
Thursday, July 18th | Ireland 1-2 Germany
Sunday, July 21st | Ireland 0-2 Netherlands

Ireland WU19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Katie Keane (Athlone Town), Jayne Merren (Wexford)
Defenders: Meabh Russell (Wexford), Aoife Turner (MVLA Soccer), Kate Thompson, Eve Dossen (Galway United), Aoife Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Mary Phillips (Athlone Town)
Midfielders: Hannah Healy (Shelbourne), Sophie Morrin (University of Texas), Jess Fitzgerald, Freya Healy (Peamount United), Jodie Loughrey, Keri Loughrey (Sligo Rovers)
Forwards: Joy Ralph, Lia O'Leary (Shamrock Rovers), Ceola Bergin (Wexford), Ellen Dolan (Peamount United), Rola Olusola (Galway United), Hazel Donegan (Athlone Town)

Head Coach: Dave Connell
Assistant Coach: Keith O'Halloran
Assistant Coach: Lizzy Kent
Goalkeeping Coach: Pat Behan
Performance Analyst: Sean Doyle
Team Doctor: Dr. Kandan Loganathan
Physiotherapist: Kathryn Fahy
Equipment Manager: Barbara Bermingham
Social Media Coordinator: Caoimhe Woods
Operations Manager: Evelyn McMullan
Operations Executive: Barry Mullin
Delegate: Hannah Dingley
Delegate: Shane Robinson