Treaty United star shines in Ireland U17 friendlies against Belgium

Treaty United’s Ellen Goggin enjoyed a positive week with the Ireland Women’s U17 squad as they took on Belgium in back-to-back friendlies in Valencia, Spain.

Belgium started strongly in the pair’s first encounter and forced Ireland goalkeeper Lucy Doyle Farrington into an early save after 18 minutes.

The Girls in Green (albeit wearing the away colours of white) responded with Shelbourne attacker Halle Harcourt firing a shot over the opposition bar after good work from Sligo Rovers' Ava Hallinan.

Belgium took the lead on 22 minutes when Liesanne Loose fired in and they doubled their lead six minutes later after Anna Corneillie converted a cross from Loren De Decker.

Ireland kept on pushing forward and moving the ball well through the transitions, which should have been rewarded with a goal on 29 minutes but the shot from Shamrock Rovers striker Ciara Milton was saved.

The Red Flames got their third goal on 41 minutes when the ball came off Keela Donnelly Meehan and went into the Ireland net.

Treaty United midfielder Goggin pulled a goal back on 50 minutes with a superb strike from inside the opposition's penalty area.

Ireland controlled the momentum in the second period and had goalscoring opportunities through Harcourt as well as substitutes Hailey Twomey and Mia Whelan but failed to convert.

The Girls in Green were able to turn their fortunes around in the second clash between the pair later in the week, securing a 3-0 win, with Goggin emerging from the substitutes bench after 63 minutes.

It was a strong first half for Ireland with Shamrock Rovers ace Hailey Twomey taking advantage of their dominant possession.

Twomey worked her magic in the opposition’s half and put three in the back of the net before half-time, putting pressure on opponents for the second half.

Belgium were struggling to break through the solid Ireland defence while James Scott’s side continued to pile on the pressure at the other end of the pitch.

Sarah Doyle held a clean sheet for the full 90 minutes after making some crucial saves throughout including a powerful block in the 70th minute following a strong strike for Belgium’s number 9, Liesanne Loose.

Ireland had one final chance late into the match when Halle Harcourt almost got a fourth after her shot ricocheted off the Belgium crossbar in the closing seconds of the match.

This concludes Ireland’s back-to-back International friendlies and they now look ahead to their Euro qualifiers which begin late September.

Treaty United took to X to congratulate the rising star.

“Congratulations to Academy Graduate and Women’s Senior Player Ellen Goggin, who represented Ireland at U17 level in two friendlies last week, scoring in the first game.

“The club is very proud of her achievements and wishes her continued success! Well done Ellen.”

Meanwhile, Treaty United’s Katie Lawlee and Amber Hardy received international caps this week for their recent performances in green.

“Everyone at the club is extremely proud of both girls’ achievements. To have so many players from our Senior Women’s side representing their country is an outstanding achievement, and we’re thrilled to have celebrated their hard work and success,” Treaty United said via X.