Emma Doherty hits the winner for Ireland in vital U-19 qualifier

Buncrana native Emma Doherty scored the only goal as Ireland defeated Northern Ireland in their second outing in the 2022/23 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships in Poland.

Following on from a 1-1 draw with hosts Poland on Tuesday in Plewiska, Doherty, who plays for Sligo Rovers, scored the winner in the 1-0 defeat of Northern Ireland at the City Stadium Swarzedz.

The goal arrived on 20 minutes when Jamie Thompson's delivery from a corner kick picked out Sligo Rovers forward Doherty who nodded it at goal and it spilled over the line. 

For much of the remainder of the game it was one-way traffic with Ireland registering 17 attempts on goal compared to just one for their opponents. Goalkeeper Erin McAllister was kept incredibly busy throughout.

The win moves Dave Connell’s side onto four points ahead of their third outing, against France on Monday at the MGKS Huragan kick-off 1pm, with a place in the Elite qualifying round the target. France were 5-1 winners against Northern Ireland in their first fixture.

With Sligo,  who are in the Women’s National League for the first time, 18-year-old Doherty, who has scored nine times in her 22 appearances, was named as the  SSE Airtricity WNL Player of the Month for June/July. Doherty moved to the Showgrounds in January having impressed for the Donegal Women’s League at under-17 and under-19 levels.