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15.04.2008 at 19:30 Turners Cross
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Attendance: |
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Referee: G Kelly |
Friendly-match |
Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 Malta
Paddy Madden 51 pen.
The Republic of Ireland took advantage of a penalty decision in the 51st minute at Turner's Cross to defeat Malta in the first of two U18 Friendly Internationals.
Paddy Madden scored from the penalty to give Ireland a narrow win they deserved because of a much improved second half performance. Malta settled more quickly but once Ireland put their early nerves behind them they looked the better team, particularly after the interval.
Ireland were in very positive and attacking mood from the start of the second half and the pressure they exerted led to a trip on Jake Kelly as he burrowed his way into the penalty area.
Paddy Madden of West Finglas hammered home the penalty with great confidence.
Malta were closest to a goal in the first half of the match when centre-forward Miguel Ciantar struck the butt of an upright in the 19th minute.
Ciantar had time and space to strike a shot from 30 yards that beat the dive of goalkeeper Mark McGinley and Ireland were happy to see the ball fly outside off the upright.
Ireland took time to settle and they came back strongly in the twenty minutes before half-time. Joe O'Neill had a volley from 15 yards following a cross by full-back Enda Stevens that was saved by goalkeeper Daniel Balzan in the 28th minute.
They were close to opening the scoring in the 35th minute when Stevens again worked his way forward on the left wing before firing a low cross into the penalty area.
Keith Ward was quickly on to the ball and his shot from about 12 yards flew across the goal and was narrowly wide of the far upright.
The goal six minutes into the second half saw Ireland play with growing confidence.
They should have had a second in the 58th minute when the lively Craig Duggan sprinted to reach a cross from the left wing from Paddy Madden but he somehow managed to deflect his header from six yards over the bar.
The teams will meet again on Thursday next at St. Colman's Park at 7.30 pm.
Teams:
Republic of Ireland: Mark McGinley (Fanad United); Niall Walsh (Castlebar Celtic), Peter O’Halloran (Cobh Ramblers), Shane O’Connor (St. Joseph’s), Enda Stevens (Cherry Orchard); Keith Ward (St. Kevin’s), Joe O’Neill (Sporting Fingal), David O’Neill (Arklow Town), Jake Kelly (St. Joseph’s); Paddy Madden (WFTA), Craig Duggan (Cork City). Subs: Brian Collopy (Wembley Rovers) for McGinley 46; Robert Waters (Cork City) for O’Connor 46; Eoin Hanrahan (Fairview Rangers) for Kelly 68; David Shovlin (Drunkeen United) for O’Neill 75; Gavin Falconer (Tramore) for Duggan 80; Kevin Dowson for Madden 88.
Malta: Daniel; Joey Aquilina, Farrugia, Xerri, Cassar; Nathan Busuttil, Scerri, Dylon Grima, Muscat; Ciantar, Vella. Subs: Edward Dylon for Dylon Grima 22; Grech for Scerri 68; Mauro Busuttil for Ciantar 75; Bugeja for Farrugia 75; Cauchi for Nathan Busuttil 78; Caruana for Balzan 80; Micallef for Cassar 90.
Referee: Mr. G. Kelly (Cork). |
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