Northern Ireland’s Women’s U-17s were defeated 2-0 by current European WU17 champions France in a friendly in Belfast.
It was Gail Redmond’s first game in charge since she was appointed manager of both the U-17 and U-19 teams, ahead League A 1st round qualifiers for the 2023-24 WU17 European Championship later this autumn.
Rhianna Breen put an early free-kick over the bar and Abbie Smith made a fine fingertip save, before a defensive mix-up saw Romane Rafalski set up Ornella Graziani to score.
Smith pushed a rasping shot from Ambre Ouazar onto the post as the visitors continued to pour forward.
Breen went closest to a second-half equaliser, while Meline Rubio put the ball wide of an open goal for the visitors.
Justine Rouquet did double the lead at the death, picking up a defence-splitting pass from Djenna Tene to tuck the ball home.
Breen raced clear in search of a consolation goal but lifted her shot over the bar.
