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24.04.2007 at 16:30 Hlinkso
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Attendance: 850 |
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Czech Rep |
4 - 1
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Rep of Ireland Under 19 |
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Referee: Douda Ladislav (CZE) |
Friendly / T/S-match |
Michal Toma,
Jakub Dohnalek,
Lukas Bodecek,
Jan Hable,
Borek Dockal,
Lukas Vacha,
Jan Blazek,
Jan Halama (c),
Martin Zeman,
Vit Precechtel,
Radim Reznik. |
Stephen Henderson
Simon Madden
Darren Dennehy
Edward Nolan
Harry Arter
Alan Judge
Matthew Cassidy
Scott Davies
Aidan Downes
Adam Rooney
Keith Treacy
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The Republic of Ireland U19 team was given a sharp reminder of what is required at international level when they were out-scored by the Czech Republic in a friendly in Hlinkso on Tuesday despite a lead goal by Darren Dennehy in the 19th minute.
Ireland will play a second match against the Czechs on Thursday in Chocen as manager Sean McCaffrey prepares his squad for the vital second series of qualifying matches in the UEFA Championship in Dublin next month.
With Harry Arter and Keith Tracey returning to their clubs it gives Sean an opportunity to run the rule over fringe players in the squad.
McCaffrey is using the two matches in the Czech Republic to give a number of players who did not figure prominently in the first qualifying phase valuable experience at this level. It is also an opportunity for them to stake a claim for inclusion in the Championship squad.
The manager lost a number of his first-choice players for this brief visit to the Czech Republic because they are playing first team football for their clubs and are needed for matches that carry extra importance at this late stage of the season.
The significance of this week’s two matches is invested in the upcoming second, elite, qualifying phase in the UEFA Championship.
Ireland came through the initial qualifying phase early this season with a 100% record in Macedonia where they defeated Macedonia, Belarus and Netherlands to win the group.
The Irish will have home advantage for the second qualifying tournament when they meet Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria. The winners of the group, only, will advance to the Under-19 European Championship Finals, to be staged in Austria from 16-27 July.
Ireland will open their qualification matches against Bulgaria on Monday, May 14th at Richmond Park followed two days later when they host Germany at Tolka Park. They conclude their group on Saturday, May 19th by facing Hungary at United Park, Drogheda.
Manager McCaffrey said he had no excuses to offer for Irelands heavy defeat today.
"We were poor, it is that simple" he said, "it would be nice to say we were beaten by an exceptionally gifted team but that was not the case, they were average. But we were beaten by a better team on the day."
Today’s defeat by the Czech Republic was a sharp reminded to the Irish of the quality of the challenge facing them. Even though they can hope to have a stronger team in action in the Championship qualifiers, manager McCaffrey will have much to say to his players after today’s result.
Dennehys goal was the result of a lovely piece of inter-play by the Irish. A cross from Keith Treacy was flicked on by Adam Rooney and Dennehy closed on the ball to volley powerfully to the net.
Ireland played neat constructive football in the first half that had them on top for long periods. A twenty minute spell in the second half when the Czech Rep scored three goals cost Ireland dearly.
The Czech Republic were level after 48 minutes when Halama scored and they led when Blazek scored in the 51st minute.
The Czechs took inspiration from this to step up their game and further goals from Vacha in the 68th minute and Necad in the 82nd minute underlined their second half superiority.
A noteworthy feature of the game was the introduction of Keith Quinn as substitute after 83 minutes. He is the third member of the Quinn family to play international football for Ireland this season.
The 18-years old Keith is on the books of Sheffield United, where his two brothers are first-team squad members.
Twenty-one years old Stephen Quinn made his debut for Irelands Under-21s in a friendly match against the Netherlands in March and Alan, who is eldest of the three brothers, won the last of his eight senior caps as a substitute during Ireland’s last match on March 28, the 1-0 win over Slovakia at Croke Park in a EURO 2008 qualifier.
Darren Dennehy 19
The Republic of Ireland team that started against the Czech Republic was:
Stephen Henderson Aston Villa
Scott Davies Reading
Edward Nolan Blackburn Rovers
Darren Dennehy Everton
Simon Madden Leeds Utd
Matthew Cassidy Bolton Wanderers
Harry Arter Charlton Athletic
Alan Judge Blackburn Rovers
Aidan Downes Everton
Adam Rooney Stoke City
Keith Treacy Blackburn Rovers
Substitutes: Eugene Ferry - Derry City for Henderson 46; James O Shea - Bray Wanderers for Downes 70 mins; Keith Quinn - Sheffield United for Artur 83 mins..
Fixture: Under-19 International Friendly Game
Thursday, April 26th
Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland
Chocen, Kick-off 17.00 hrs |
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