28.04.05 Northern Ireland 0 - 4 Wales (report by Martin Harris)

Northern Ireland and Wales kicked off the Girls event at the 2005 Ballymena Tournament, and the Welsh raced into a 5th minute lead. Shan Jones ran down the right before cutting into the area to finish with a close range shot past Kirsty Eddis.

The Welsh doubled up on the 9th minute after a brilliant save by Eddis who stretched out a leg to block a strong Jessica Kavanagh shot, only to see Nicola Tucker knock in the rebound.
Northern Ireland had two half-chances in the first quarter. A strong shot from Trudi Harbinson took a deflection that sent Rebecca Gunson full length to her left to palm away, and Alex Ogle was just inches from heading in Amy McAllister' cross.

Close to the half hour both keepers pulled off superb saves. Eddis dived at the feet of Jones as she charged through looking for the third, and Gunson finger-tipping a tremendous cross from Harbinson for a corner to leave the Welsh comfortably ahead at the break, in spite of having to play into a near gale-force wind.

After the turn round Northern Ireland battled well against the gale and the defence stayed solid against the triple threat of Nicola Tucker, Marion Evans and Shan Jones, and with 10 minutes gone substitute Kelly Newcombe leapt for a headed chance but it ran wide.