Republic of Ireland start Pinatar Cup with 2-1 win over Poland

Vera Pauw’s team got off to a great start in the Pinatar Cup defeating Poland 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

It was a come-from-behind victory for the girls in green in La Manga thanks to goals from Birmingham City duo Lucy Quinn and Louise Quinn.

Making her 100th international cap, Niamh Fahey skippered Ireland for the match.

up for Niamh Fahey - defender set to become fourth women to earn century of Republic of Ireland caps https://t.co/U9yIaPCkD6pic.twitter.com/teaPTOHJiX

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 15, 2022

After the first half ended scoreless, Fahey was penalised five minutes after the break for a hand ball with Paulina Dudek converting the spot kick for the team who are one place above the Republic of Ireland in the FIFA rankings.

The qualiser came in the 52th minute when Lucy Quinn found the back of net with a left foot shot from the edge of the area after pressing by Ireland caused a mistake in the Polish defence.

The Birmingham City player’s display earned her the Sky Ireland Player of the Match Award.

Check out Ireland's first goal from @LucyQuinn7#IRLPOL | #COYGIG | #WeAreOnepic.twitter.com/Qlx840Z2my

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) February 16, 2022

The Irish winner arrived 15 minutes from time through a Louise Quinn header. She converted Katie McCabe’s cross for her 13^th international goal.

Ireland’s next game will take place on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Heather Payne (Jess Ziu 53), Ruesha Littlejohn, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe; Lucy Quinn, Denise O'Sullivan; Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 82).

Poland: Karolina Kalbs; Martyna Wiankowska, Gabriela Grzywinska, Paulina Dudek, Malgorzata Mesjasz; Weronika Zawistowska, Ewelina Kamczyk, Dominika Grabowska, Zofia Buisewiska, Nikola Karczewska; Adriana Achinska.

Referee: Valentová Zuzana (Slovakia).

Louise Quinn: ‘This is a competition that we can go on and win’ https://t.co/jxVeWaXhSfpic.twitter.com/BZbn1m29vu

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 16, 2022