The Republic of Ireland defeated Malta with a cracking goal from Adam Rooney when the teams met in an Under 18 challenge game in Malta yesterday.
Rooney was an original selection in the Irish squad but was initially withdrawn by his club in anticipation of an important underage match of their own. When the fixtures meant they were free this week, Stoke requested that he be restored to the squad.
It was a good decision as Rooney played excellent football up front for Ireland and together with Matthew Cassidy, James Ryan and Robert Bayly looked a class above their opposition.
The Irish dominated the game except for a ten minute period in the second half when Malta succeeded in gaining a grip. They failed, however, to create a worthwhile scoring opportunity and Ireland always looked more capable of scoring.
Their goal after 30 minutes when Jim Ryan slipped a pass through to W. J. Kiely and he, in turn, sent Rooney cutting in on goal from the right. His shot from the edge of the penalty area flew into the roof of the net.
Ireland’s manager Sean McCaffrey commented: “It was a highly satisfactory exercise from our point of view.
“The team played well, produced an attractive brand of football and created chances.”
Republic of Ireland youth team manager Sean McCaffrey has expressed his delight in watching five new players make a winning debut for the under-18 side in Malta on Monday.
Bolton Wanderers’ Matthew Cassidy, Patrick Mullins of Limerick side Geraldines and Sunderland’s Michael Liddle all started the game, while St Johnstone’s Andrew Jackson and Chris Mulhall of eircom League side Shelbourne were introduced as second half substitutes.
The game ended in a 1-0 win, the only goal coming from Stoke City starlet Adam Rooney.
McCaffrey said: “This was a very useful exercise. It gave us a chance to see some players who have not been heavily involved up close and to evaluate their potential.
"Spending four or five days together like this in a training camp helps us to get to know the players and to judge how they cope when they are introduced to a new group.”
Republic of Ireland under-18: Lee Boyle (Aston Villa), John Quigley (Stoke City), Kevin McArdle (Shelbourne), Patrick Mullins (Geraldines), Michael Liddle (Sunderland), Mark Byrne (Crumlin United), Matthew Cassidy (Bolton Wanderers), James Ryan (Liverpool), Robert Bayly (Leeds Utd), Adam Rooney (Stoke City), William John Kiely (Aberdeen). Substitutes: Andrew Jackson (St. Johnstone) for Kiely (60 mins), Mark Salmon (Wolves) for Byrne (60 mins), John Connellan (Athlone Town) for Quigley (70 mins), Chris Mulhall (Shelbourne) for Rooney (85 mins). |
