Qualifying statement

Toni Leigh Finnegan was among the goalscorers as Northern Ireland Women’s Under 19 side booked their place in the Elite Round of European Championship qualifying.

The Reds defender featured in all three of the team’s Group 5 fixtures over the past week, helping Northern Ireland beat Wales 1-0 at Shamrock Park last Wednesday and completed the scoring when Moldova were defeated 6-0 at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Saturday.

All of which meant that Alfie Wylie’s outfit had secured their place in the next phase of qualifying – for which the draw will be made on November 21 – ahead of Tuesday’s Seaview showdown with Norway, who ensured their status as group winners with a comprehensive 7-0 success.

Solitude, meanwhile, played host to one fixture in the mini-tournament, with Wales overcoming Moldova 3-0 in Tuesday afternoon’s encounter.