Keeper Khiara Keating helps England to winning start in WU19 Euro qualifiers

England U-19 keeper Khiara Keating
Photo: Lynne Cameron for The FA

Goalkeeper Khiara Keating helped England to an opening Women’s U-19 Euro qualifying victory against the Republic of Ireland.

An own-goal from Ireland’s Shauna Brennan with 11 minutes left on the clock decided the contest in Limerick, as Keating – the Manchester City custodian who is currently on loan at Fylde – repeatedly thwarted the hosts, in front of 1,512 spectators at Markets Field.

Keating tipped over a 30-yard strike from Molloy and denied Rebecca Watkins when through one-on-one, likewise Aoife Horgan.

England’s Lucy Parry forced a save with a long-range strike, and it was from her cross that Brennan sliced an attempted clearance past goalkeeper Rugile Auskalnyte.

The Young Lionesses next play on Saturday 23 October at Jackman Park (2pm) versus Northern Ireland, who began with a 3-1 defeat to Switzerland despite having scored first. An Ella Haughey free kick was headed down by Fi Morgan for Cora Chambers to slide it home.

Serena Li Puma levelled before the break and Aurelie Csillag put the Swiss ahead with 20 minutes left.

Although Morgan threatened an equaliser with a volley, Li Puma grabbed her second late on

IN CONVERSATION: Northern Ireland’s Caragh Hamilton ahead of #ENGvNI

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