Two-goal star Kiernan backs Ireland to come good in Euro bid
RISING star Leanne Kiernan fully expects the Republic of Ireland to mount a serious challenge to reach the 2021 European Championships.
The 18-year-old Cavan native – recently recruited by West Ham – bagged a brace as the Girls in Green made light work of Northern Ireland last night.
Captain Katie McCabe also notched a double in a game which came after Ireland had bowed out of the World Cup qualification mix.
Three defeats in row to Holland and Norway (twice) between April and June obliterated Ireland’s prospects.
Kiernan, though, is certain the Colin Bell’s team will break their qualification hoodoo as they look ahead to the draw for the European qualifiers in February.
“The team has improved under Colin’s management throughout this campaign,” said Kieran after adding a brace to the goal she scored against Slovakia in April.
“This was also my first campaign in the senior squad and he’s helped a group of us develop over the eight matches.”
Northern Ireland have the worst defensive record in the group and conceded their 23rd goal after just four minutes as Diane Caldwell’s lofted pass from her own half released Kiernan who lobbed Jacqueline Burns.
Once debutant Amanda Budden passed her only test of the evening four minutes later by gathering a cross she initially flapped at, Ireland were in command.
Kiernan’s pace once again saw her get in behind the defence on 12 minutes and her cut-back set up Tyler Toland’s 20-yard shot. Burns did well to reach it but her spill fell to Jarrett, who laid the ball back for McCabe to find the top corner.
After having a volley ruled out for offside soon after, Kiernan bagged her second on 27 minutes. When Denise O’Sullivan’s surging run from midfield drew the North’s centre-backs out of position, she slipped the ball into space for Kiernan to burst clear and beat Burns with a side-footed curler.
It was all too easy for Ireland and the second half was equally one-sided, but McCabe’s penalty on 58 minutes, stroked
down the middle after Harriet Scott was bundled over by Burns, was all they had to show for their dominance.
Kiernan was denied a hat-trick late on when she did the difficult work by beating her marker only to see a diagonal shot clip the inside of the post.
“There are areas to improve on but I’m fully confident that this group can bring Ireland to our first-ever major tournament,” said Bell.