The Irish Women's U19s team are just one step away from reaching a European Championship final in Norway.

Beat Netherlands in Thursday's semi-final and then they just need to defeat either Spain or hosts Norway in the final to take home the gold medal.

But the journey has already been hugely impressive as the team managed by Dave Connell marched through their group, winning all three matches against three highly-rated sides in Spain, England and Sweden.

Perhaps it should not have been such a surprise as Ireland had beaten one avoided defeat against two of those nations in the lead up to this year's tournament as Connell explained as he spoke to Off The Ball tonight.

"It was certainly a tough draw and we knew it was going to be a tough campaign for us. But we knuckled down and did our homework," said Connell.

"All of our training sessions were geared towards Spain because we'd played England and Sweden earlier in the year at the La Manga tournament and drawn with England and beaten Sweden 1 - 0. So we had a good insight on them." 

While the likes of U17s record goalscorer Megan Connolly have shone for Ireland during the tournament, it is has been primarily a team effort.

"What we have that other countries probably don't have is a good team spirit. Around the hotel it's noticeable that the Irish girls work well together and get on well together on and off the park. A lot of the countries don't have that. Speaking to other coaches, they would love it if they had that. It certainly helps and the girls have been superb," said Connell.