It was the only defeat of the campaign for the Irish and FAI CEO John Delaney passed on the congratulations of the entire Irish football community to Connell and his squad.

Delaney said: "What Dave, his staff and his players have achieved over the past ten days has been absolutely fantastic and it is a testimony to the improvements that have been made across the board in women's football in Ireland in the past eight years.

"Standards have been raised across the country because of the work put in by coaches like Dave, senior international team manager Sue Ronan, our women's development officer Gerard Dunne and his department allied with the dedicated coaches in women's football around Ireland.

The FAI head lauded their wins over Netherlands, Spain, England and Sweden in the competition.

"The performances the girls have put in throughout the year were all the more impressive when you consider the numbers playing in more established countries in women's football including the who they met this week.

After welcoming the team home at the airport a reception took place at the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport where the squad were presented with their UEFA certificates and a team photograph as mementos of a marvellous performance.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Larry O’Toole, said: "This team has made history by being the first ever Irish Under-19 women’s team to reach the semi-final of the UEFA European Championships.

"I heartily congratulate everyone involved in making the team’s involvement in these Championships so successful, we have all been proudly watching with keen interest and cheering them on over the last ten days. I wish them every success in their future endeavours - with this level of achievement behind them I’m sure they will go from strength to strength."