Jodie Loughrey helps Ireland U19s to super draw with Spain
Ireland began the 2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships with a scoreless draw against Spain, the holders, in Lithuania on Monday
Jodie Loughrey played the full game as the Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19s drew 0-0 with holders Spain in their 2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships opener.
The Buncrana woman is joined by her sister Keri on the Dave Connell-managed squad with Ireland also set to face Netherlands and Germany in Group B.
The Girls in Green showed real resilience to hold off a strong Spanish side.
Goalkeeper Katie Keane was in superb form to record a clean sheet with Spain registering 12 shots on target.
Attacker Daniela Agote proved to be a constant threat with her combination of pace and skill, while Daniela Arques was in charge of set-pieces and kept the Irish defence on high alert throughout.
Athlone Town 'keeper Keane did brilliantly to deny Pau with a diving save early on before shutting out Agote, Adriana Ranera and Cris Libran as Spain heaped the pressure on.
Ireland will now look to Thursday's meeting with last year's runners-up Germany as they attempt to secure a place in the semi-finals - and possibly beyond.
The Loughrey sisters play in the Women's Premier Division for Sligo Rovers having previously lined out for the Donegal Women's League in the underage League of Ireland.