Loughrey sisters and Ireland U-19 side bow out of European Championship

Keri and Jodie Loughrey were a part of the Ireland Women's U-19s side that ended their 2024 UEFA Women's U-19 European Championships campaign with a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands on Sunday. 

The younger, 17-year-old Jodie, has been an important member of the Irish squad which cruised through the qualifying series and started on Sunday before being withdrawn on the 68-minute, while Keri was named on the bench.

Goals from Karlijn Woons and Mirte Van Koppen sent the Dutch through to the semi-finals ahead of Ireland with the girls from Buncrana and who play for Sligo Rovers bowing out of the series alongside their teammates. 
 
In the afternoon heat in the Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje in Lithuania, Ireland showcased a tactical discipline for a third straight game that gave them a chance against one of the favourites to win this tournament. 
 
Having drawn with holders Spain and losing narrowly to last year's runners-up Germany, Dave Connell's squad knew that they belonged at this level but needed a big performance and a victory here to progress further. 
 
However, it was the Dutch who took control early on when Woons lost her marker on 18 minutes to head in a free-kick delivered into the penalty area by Jade van Hensbergen. 
 
Shamrock Rovers forward Joy Ralph did fire a shot straight at goalkeeper Danae van der Vliet following a breakaway but the Girls in Green - wearing a black kit here - went in at the half-time break one goal down. 
 
Four minutes into the second period Irish hearts were beating that bit faster when Ralph controlled a pass, spun quickly and let loose with a half volley from distance that struck the Dutch post. It was a superb effort. 
 
The Netherlands showed that they were capable of the same as Lotte Keukelaar made space for herself before unleashing a stinging shot that brought the best out of goalkeeper Katie Keane. 
 
Just as the clock ticked past the hour mark the Oranje increased their lead with Van Koppen smashing a right-footed shot into the back of the net after running onto a neat pass from Keukelaar. 
 
On 89 minutes, substitute Ceola Bergin did brilliantly to get a shot off that forced van der Vliet into a diving save that pushed the ball out for a corner kick. But the danger was then cleared from that resulting set-piece. 
 
The Dutch closed out the win to send Ireland out - just as they did in 2014 when beating them in the semi-finals of this competition - but the effort and approach from Connell's team was impressive.