Northern Ireland began their Home Nations U-19 tournament in England with a win over the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland started off brightly with Louise McDaniel just failing to get on the end of a Rebecca McKenna cross after two minutes however their positive start was rewarded with under five minutes gone.
Megan Bell and Emily Wilson combined to play McKenna in and her pace was too much as she fired into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
As the half progressed the Republic of Ireland came into the game and were unlucky not to score when they hit the post with 30 minutes gone.
Just before half time, A Bell corner found Yasmin White who was unlucky not to double their lead. But White soon became hero as she recovered to clear a shot off the line.
But with 2 minutes of added time remaining, the Republic of Ireland levelled to take the game to a shootout.
However, Lauren Perry saved a sudden death penalty and Lauren Robson converted to give Northern Ireland the victory.
Northern Ireland are playing England today, 16 July.
Northern Ireland U-19s: Perry, McMaster (Hamilton), Burrows, White, Robson (Donnan), McKenna, Bell, McPartlan, McDaniel (Collighan), Orr (Canavan) , Wilson (Finnegan) subs Hopwood, Smyth, Donnan, Hamilton, Finnegan, Canavan, Collighan.
