Northern Ireland Women’s Under-16s enjoyed a successful SuperCupNI campaign, defeating Chicago City and Liverpool to lift the Girls’ Premier Vase on finals day.
Drawn in Group B alongside Chicago City, Shamrock Rovers and Aston Villa, the 18-player squad was managed by Danielle McDowell Tuffey with Julie Nelson as assistant coach.
Northern Ireland 5 Chicago City 0
Northern Ireland wasted no time making an impact as Grace Guest released Charley McMullan, who cut inside from the left before finishing into the bottom corner.
Guest soon doubled the advantage with an excellent strike from outside the box, while Anna Smyth and Daisy-Lee Anderson impressed in midfield as Northern Ireland controlled proceedings. Annarose Robinson and Grace Steele also went close before the interval.
McMullan then crossed for Guest to score from close range after the restart, before the pair combined again from a short corner for Guest to complete her hat-trick.
Autumn Edgar rounded off the scoring with a header from another McMullan corner to secure an impressive opening victory.
Northern Ireland 1 Aston Villa 1
The opening exchanges saw Northern Ireland create the early opportunities, with Ella Kitson combining well with Annarose Robinson, whose effort drifted just wide, before Zion Donnan also went close.
At the other end, Saskia McLaughlin produced an excellent save before Sara Devany made a crucial block, while Sasha Cowan impressed defensively under pressure.
Villa took the lead shortly after the restart through a long-range effort which deflected over McLaughlin, but Northern Ireland responded strongly. After seeing a penalty saved, Abigail Curley and Charley McMullan both tested the Villa goalkeeper before Robinson crossed for Curley to finish at the back post and level the game.
Northern Ireland 1 Shamrock Rovers 4
A promising opening period saw Northern Ireland press Shamrock Rovers and create an early chance for Grace Guest, whose effort went narrowly wide.
Ellie-Mae Turner then made an important block before Ifeoma Agoha produced an excellent save as the defence remained resolute for much of the opening period.
Rovers took the lead just before half-time before adding a second from a long-range free-kick early in the second half.
Despite further opportunities for Guest and Sara Devany, Rovers added two more goals before Guest scored a late consolation following good build-up play from Ella Kitson.
Northern Ireland 2-0 Liverpool (Premier Vase final)
Northern Ireland looked to impose themselves from the outset, with Abigail Curley, Ella Kitson and Grace Guest all creating early opportunities.
After the restart, Grace Steele found Curley, whose effort went narrowly wide, before Northern Ireland’s pressure eventually paid off. Curley’s corner was converted from close range by Guest, with Abigail Fitzsimmons providing the assist.
Charley McMullan then sealed the victory midway through the second half with a superb half-volley from outside the box to secure the Girls’ Premier Vase.
Reflecting on the tournament, McDowell Tuffey said: “This week has been a great learning experience for the players coming up against opposition from England, the USA and Republic of Ireland.
“It was fantastic to end the week on a high today with a great performance and result against a very good Liverpool side.
“The learning and development both on and off the pitch this week will stand the players in good stead moving forward.”
