Graphic: Irish FA
Starting line-up in Albania
UEFA WU19 Euro 2025 qualifiers
Albania WU19s 0-5 Northern Ireland WU19s
Scorers: Aimee Kerr (3’, 34’ pen), Sophie Gargan (50’), Niamh Boothroyd (78’), Bernie Ferreira (90+4’)
NORTHERN Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team produced another excellent display in defeating Albania by five goals to nil in a Euro qualifier.
Following a 3-0 win against Montenegro, and a 4-0 success against Azerbaijan in their first game, Northern Ireland needed just a point from the match against the Albanians to win League B Group 4 and gain promotion to League A for stage one of the qualifiers for WU19 Euro 2026 this autumn.
The win meant the WU19s won three out of three at the tournament and topped their group, ensuring promotion to League A.
Women’s Under-19 boss Gail Redmond made three changes from the side that defeated Montenegro in Northern Ireland’s second game in the four-team League B Group 4 mini tournament in stage two of the UEFA WU19 Euro 2025 qualifiers.
For the game against Albania, the tournament hosts, Redmond brought in goalkeeper Ellie Scott, midfielder Niamh O’Donnell and attacker Anastasija Stanyte.
They replaced keeper Kate Smith, Darcie McNeill and Rhianna Breen in the starting XI.
Northern Ireland got off to the perfect start. After just three minutes Faye Loughran found Orleigha McGuinness who slipped the ball to Niamh Boothroyd and her cross was headed into the bottom corner by Aimee Kerr to make it 1-0.
Loughran had a shot cleared off the line, while Boothroyd had a one-on-one with Albania goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu but the keeper won the duel.
On 34 minutes Kerr was brought down inside the penalty area and she stepped up to steer the resulting spot kick into the net.
A minute later Albania captain Xhesika Ndoj fired an effort over the top.In the closing stages of the half a Kerr cross was headed over the top by Anastasia Stanyte and Spahiu saved a drive from Clodagh Maguire.
Half-time: Albania WU19s 0-2 Northern Ireland WU19s
After the interval Northern Ireland continued to push forward, extending their lead in the 50th minute when Boothroyd crossed to the back post where substitute Sophie Gargan headed home.
Spahiu saved efforts from Boothroyd and Gracie Conway, while Kerr’s shot went over the bar.
Sofie Keenan then tested the keeper, who saved well, and another Kerr drive was kept out by Spahiu.
Substitute Bernie Ferreira and Gargan combined well to find Boothroyd who beat a couple of defenders and finished with aplomb to make it 4-0.
Northern Ireland got their fifth deep into added time. This time Ferreira dribbled around the keeper before slotting the ball home.
Afterwards Gail Redmond said: “We started the game really well with an early goal and that set the tone for the game. We were solid throughout and for the third game in a row our finishers came on and impacted the game.
“We had a great tournament overall. We set out to control each game and we did that without conceding a goal. This is a talented group of players and I am very excited to see what the future holds for them on and off the pitch.”
Full-time: Albania WU19s 0-5 Northern Ireland WU19s
Albania WU19s: Rajmonda Spahiu, Stiljana Guga, Rigela Hysa, Herta Hasaj, Angela Nika, Rosela Vasa, Xhesika Ndoj (captain), Era Methoxha, Klesta Ago, Stela Vata, Adela Qose. Substitutes: (used) Juarda Aliaj, Ina Balla, Bora Bushati, Lorena Likollari; (unused) Briela Berberi (GK), Amelia Mone (GK), Klevisa Ndoci, Klea Allushi, Arjela Lako.
Northern Ireland WU19s: Ellie Scott, Orleigha McGuinness, Sofie Keenan, Faye Loughran, Abi Sweetlove (captain), Niamh O’Donnell, Anastasija Stanyte, Niamh Boothroyd, Gracie Conway, Aimee Kerr, Clodagh Maguire. Substitutes: (used) Kate Smith (GK), Darcie McNeill, Sophie Gargan, Bernie Ferreira, Rhianna Breen; (unused) Sophie Kelly-Bradley, Ellen Hampton, Rachel McIntyre.
