Midlands' interest is high as Ireland find it tough at European qualifiers

There has been plenty of local interest as the Republic of Ireland women's U17 team took on a huge challenge in Sweden in recent days.

Coláiste Chiaráin student Sophie Byrne has played in both of Ireland's Round 2 games as part of the qualification process for the UEFA European Championships. Last Friday, the Irish side opened the tough group by losing, 0-2, against Germany. Unfortunately, that result was followed by a narrow loss against Denmark Monday.

Byrne, who recently joined Peamount Utd from Shamrock Rovers, has been a highly-regarded talent for many years, and was one of three players from the Midlands to feature in the tournament, along with Athlone Town women's players Emma Mooney and Abbie Duffy. Mooney hails from Tullamore, Co Offaly while Duffy is originally from Co Galway.

James Scott’s squad needed to finish top of Group A1 in to secure passage through to this summer’s finals tournament in Northern Ireland, but have only pride to play for when they taken on Sweden on Thursday.