The Ireland Women's Under-19s kick off their 2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships campaign on Monday against holders Spain.

The first game in Group B will be played in the Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje in Lithuania as Dave Connell's squad aim to get off to a positive start.

This is just the second time that the Ireland WU19 will have competed in this tournament and the first since 2014 when they reached the semi-finals - with a squad led by Connell.

The Class of 2024 are now determined to make the most of their opportunity with goalkeeper Katie Keane stating that the bond that exists within the squad can help them.

"The fact that we've made it to the EUROs after going through so many ups and downs throughout the year as well as previous years, like last year the Under-17s in France we lost out of one game of actually qualifying to go to Estonia, so this year when we went to Croatia it was massive to get that qualification and now to be here is unbelievable," said Keane.

"I think it's only set in as we arrived in Lithuania. After we qualified we all were in the dressing room celebrating that we did qualify but none of us actually took a second and went 'wait we actually qualified'. It was just such a moment when you come over here and get on the flight that's when everything turns.

"There's such a good dynamic between the girls and that's really important. We all get along so well and have each other's back which is also brilliant, it's well needed and we're enjoying it."

Keane has been in excellent form at club level for Athlone Town in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division where she has recorded seven clean sheets to help her team jump into top spot. She wants to bring those performances to international level as they embrace the 'underdog' tag.

She said: "We all know that the teams are brilliant and we're underdogs but the Irish love to be the underdog. I'm really looking forward to the game against Spain in the first match on Monday."

The game against Spain will be broadcast live on RTÉ Player and News Channel.


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)


Fixtures
Monday, July 15th | Spain v Ireland, Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje, KO 12:00
Thursday, July 18th | Ireland v Germany, Jonava City Stadium, KO 12:00
Sunday, July 21st | Ireland v Netherlands, Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje, KO 12:00


2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships
Spain v Ireland
Monday, July 15th
KO 12:00
Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje
Referee: Michalina Diakow (Poland)
LIVE on RTÉ News channel & the RTÉ Player