Byrne returns home following memorable World Cup campaign

Bealnamulla soccer star Jennifer Byrne has returned home after playing a central role in Ireland's memorable campaign at the FIFA Under-17 Ladies World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Noel King's charges marched into the quarter-finals with an emphatic 3-0 win over Ghana, but their bid to reach the last four was foiled by Japan in the early hours of last Saturday morning (Irish time). Ballinahown native Byrne, who plays her club football with Bealnamulla/ Athlone Town, turned in another stellar display in the green shirt. At one stage her fantastic last-ditch block on Tomoko Kawashima prevented Japan from extending their lead. However the valiant efforts of Byrne and her teammates ultimately weren't enough to prevent Ireland's exit on a 2-1 scoreline. Prior to the outings against Ghana and Japan, Ireland had lost to Brazil but defeated Canada. It's understood that the team returned home on Sunday, but attempts to contact Byrne were unsuccessful at the time of going to press. Last season she helped Bealnamulla to again win the Combined Counties Football League Women's Division and she has also enjoyed success in ladies gaelic football with Garrycastle and Athlone's Our Lady's Bower.