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26.04.2007 at 17:00 Chocen
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Attendance: 987 |
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Czech Rep |
1 - 2
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Rep of Ireland Under 19 |
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Referee: Roman Hrubes (CZE) |
Friendly / T/S-match |
Back;O'Shea,Rooney, Haverty Henderson, Dennehy, Davies; Front Row:Judge,Cassidy, Nolan (Capt),Quinn,Bayly
Pictures from the match
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The Republic of Ireland Under-19 team squad won the second match of their double-friendly fixture against the Czech Republic today in Chocen before an attendance of 987 partisan supporters courtesy of a last minute winning goal by striker Aidan Downes.
The good news for the Irish was the change in referee from the first game - 9 players were booked on Tuesday despite the fact that there was hardly a bad tackle in the entire game.
Ireland were first to show - a determined start after Tuesdays heavy defeat when Darren Dennehy headed wide from the first corner of the game.
Keith Quinn had a great opportunity but Prepsl in the Czech goal made a remarkable save.
The writing was on the wall as Adam Rooney put Ireland ahead after eight minutes. A long kick out by Stephen Henderson found Adam Rooney. Although surrounded by two defenders Rooney managed to chip keeper Prepsl for the opening goal after 8 minutes.
This was Adam Rooneys 17th goal in underage internationals. A phenomenal scoring record at any age.
Stephen Henderson was called into action after 17 minutes and he showed that he was as sharp as ever with a great save.
Robert Bayly - returning to the side after injury - linked up with James O Shea and his shot shaved the post after 24 minutes.
Unfortunately for James O Shea - he had top retire after 35 minutes and was replaced by Aidan Downes.
After 39 minutes Downes was unlucky as Scott Davies made a run down the wing and crossed for Downes whos first time shot was somehow scrambled out for a corner by the Czech defence.
In the final minute of the first half good work by Bayley set up Downes whos first time cross managed to evade the inrushing Adam Rooney and Alan Judge with the goal at their mercy.
On the blow of half time Spidlen was shown a second yellow for a dreadful tackle on Alan Judge - the tackle could possibly have deserved a straight red but to be fair to the Referee he did not shirk his duty and Spidelen faced the lonely walk to the dressing rooms.
Kevin Mc Ardle made his long awaited debut at half time replacing Matthew Cassidy.
Czech Republic made five changes at half time and threw caution to the wind as the laid siege on the Irish goal.
Czech Republic were awarded a penalty after ten minutes when Noel Haverty was adjudged rather harshly to be tugging at Necids jersey - it was more a case of six of one and a half dozen of the other. For his efforts Haverty received a yellow card.
Necid was sufficiently well enough to get up after his histrionics to convert the penalty himself.
With the Irish now under immense pressure - they seemed to be unable to handle the advantage of the extra man- but with Haverty, Dennehy, Davies and Nolan showing their class they began to fight their way back into the game.
With time running out Sean Mc Caffrey brought on Simon Madden and put Eddie Nolan up front for Adam Rooney. Rooney had worked tirelessly up front and had run himself into the ground. The decision paid off as Nolan had the final touch to Downes who rifled home in the 90th minute to the delight of the entire Irish bench.
Ireland’s win was a remarkable achievement given that they were beaten 1-4 by the same opponents on Tuesday last.
Manager Sean McCaffrey made four changes to the team that started on Tuesday and Ireland stepped up their performance considerably to achieve a splendid result against the highly-rated Czechs.
Ireland’s win came in their final preparatory game before they embark on the second, elite, qualifying tournament for the UEFA Championship which will be held in Ireland from May 14 to May 19.
Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey hailed his team’s determination: “The lads responded fantastically well from the heavy defeat on Tuesday to deservedly win tonight.
“We were unlucky to concede an equaliser through a dubious penalty decision but Aidan popped up to score the winner.
“I’m satisfied with the level of performance during the two games overall. Apart from a dreadful second half display on Tuesday, the lads were on top of their game and that’s what we wanted from them heading into the qualifiers next month.”
IRELAND:
Stephen Henderson (Aston Villa)
Scott Davies (Reading)
Edward Nolan (Blackburn Rovers)
Darren Dennehy (Everton)
Noel Haverty (St. Patricks Athletic)
Matthew Cassidy (Bolton Wanderers)
Keith Quinn (Sheffield United)
Alan Judge (Blackburn Rovers)
Robert Bayly (Leeds United)
Adam Rooney (Stoke City)
James O Shea (Bray Wanderers)
Substitutes:
Aidan Downes (Everton) for O’Shea - 35 mins
Half Kevin McArdle (Dundalk) for Cassidy - 46 mins
Mark Salmon (Wolves) for Quinn - 60 mins
Simon Madden (Leeds United) for Rooney - 80 mins. |
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