Under-18 International Friendly
Germany 4-0 Ireland
Ireland were second best to a strong German team this evening in Weismain as they suffered defeat in their opening game of the season.
The home side, who operated with most of their Under-17 squad that finished third at the World Youth Championships in Korea last summer, opened the scoring after 14 minutes and struck again on 28 minutes.
Ireland could have broken the deadlock early on the contest when striker Sean Scannell was put through on goal but his effort was saved.
Even after Ireland conceded the first goal, they might have been level. Gavin Gunning, stepping up a year from the Under-17 squad, headed into the net but the Blackburn Rovers defender was unlucky to see the effort ruled out for an infringement.
A resolute Irish side rallied in the second half, enjoying plenty of possession, but they were caught out again when Germany netted the third goal midway through the half to the acclaim of the 6,500 crowd. It arrived from the penalty spot after substitute Laurence Gaughan committed a foul inside the box.
Ireland swept forward in numbers in the dying minutes searching for a consolation goal but it was the hosts who found the net when they made it 4-0 on 86 minutes. Danny Kelly, making his debut for Ireland, suffered the misfortune of deflecting a shot past his own goalkeeper Kieron Thorp and into the net.
The Irish management used the occasion to assess new talent ahead of next season’s UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifying series.
Irish coach Joe Boyle deputising for Sean Mc Caffrey who was involved with the Under 21 side said afterwards, “On the whole, it was not a bad team performance but we got punished for some individual errors. The score-line may suggest that we got well beaten but that wasn’t the case.
“We had a number of good displays from individuals, including James O’Brien who dominated the midfield and Damien McCrory, a lad that hadn’t played for Ireland for a couple of years.”
Danny Kelly Norwich City played hsi first game for Ireland having declared for Ireland last year.
The nations will meet again in the second instalment of the double-header on Thursday at Hassfurt (11am).
Republic of Ireland:
Kieron Thorp - Crystal Palace
Gareth Matthews - Norwich City
Gavin Gunning - Blackburn Rovers
David Joyce - Birmingham City
Danny Kelly - Norwich City
Kurtis Byrne - Hibernian
Conor Clifford - Chelsea
Damian McCrory - Plymouth Argyle
James O'Brien - Birmingham City
James McCarthy - Hamilton Academicals
Sean Scannell - Crystal Palace
Substitutes:
Laurence Gaughan - Celtic for Matthews (20 mins)
Shane O'Connor - Liverpool for McCrory (60 mins)
Patrick Madden - WFTA for Clifford (81 mins). |
