by Callum Ellis
WALES capped off their Spanish tour with a 1-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland at the Estadio Municipal de Marbella.
Defender Louise Quinn’s second-half header was the difference between the two sides, who played out a goalless draw in the first meeting of the doubler header on Thursday afternoon.
Ireland manager Colin Bell made just one change from the opening clash as Clare O’Riordan replaced the injured Megan Campbell. While Laura O’Sullivan, Rhiannon Roberts and Kylie Nolan were all included in Jayne Ludlow’s starting line-up.
In a first half which saw chances few and far between for both sides, Ludlow’s team looked to threaten Ireland goalkeeper Marie Hourihan from set-pieces.
Wales went close to taking the lead as former University of South Wales student Gemma Evans‘ free-kick caused problems for the Irish defence, who did just enough to guide the ball to safety.
Ireland skipper Katie McCabe also tried her luck at Laura O’Sullivan’s goal but saw her effort deflected off Cori Williams just after the half-hour mark.
The best chance of the first half fell to Liverpool defender Roberts with minutes remaining before the interval. After Hayley Ladd’s long ball forward was flicked on by Kayleigh Green, Roberts found space before firing straight at Hourihan.
Wales looked comfortable in possession throughout the opening period but failed to force the Ireland goalkeeper into any real issues.
The Irish looked to press for the opening goal and had several chances to do so in the early stages of the second half.
A mix up between McCabe and Leanne Kiernan saw a chance go begging inside the penalty area, before Quinn’s speculative effort from distance kept substitute goalkeeper Skinner on her toes.
Ireland eventually broke the dead-lock just after the hour-mark. An inviting delivery into the area from Tyler Toland was nodded into the bottom corner by the Arsenal defender Quinn.
Ludlow sent on Megan Wynne, Helen Ward and Grace Horrell as Wales looked for a route back into the game, but the Irish defence held firm to seal the victory.
Wales: O’Sullivan (Skinner 52′), Evans (Lawrence 60′), Williams (Dykes 53′), Ingle (C), Ladd, Roberts, James (Horrell 81′), Fishlock, Harding, Nolan (Wynne 52′), Green (Ward 81′).
Subs not used: Clark, Estcourt, Morgan, Powell, Davies, Jones.
Republic of Ireland: Hourihan, Payne, Scott, Quinn, Fahey, Toland, Kiernan (Barrett 81′), O’Sullivan, McCabe (C), O’Riordan, Connolly.
Subs not used: Moloney, O’Mahony, Ziu, Brosnan, Farrelly.
Incident summary:
Goal – Louise Quinn (64′)
Star player – Louise Quinn
