Ireland suprisingly fell to Slovenia in the Under 15 International match held in Home Farm's ground in Whitehall to night.
Ireland got a dream start with Daragh Satelle scoring after three minutes but two goals in the second half by Slovenia left Vinny Butler's squad facing defeat for the third time this season
This was a galling defeat after the Irish team had dominated large parts of the game and should have gone it at half time with more than a single goal.
As the Republic of Ireland heaped pressure on the Slovenians, Aaron Doran left the defenders for dead with a neat turn on the edge of the box and his effort beat the keeper only to see it come off the crossbar.
The Irish continued to push forward for their second goal after half time, Gavin Gunning and Darragh Satelle both heading over from corner kicks. Five minutes into the second half, the game was thrown wide open as Slovenia substitute Robert Beric was adjudged to be fouled in the box and was awarded a penalty. Mitja Nivinic made no mistake from the spot-kick, hammering it low-down to the keeper’s right.
The Republic of Ireland responded very well and pushed forward for a winner, Crumlin United’s Conor Clifford pressed forward and was unlucky to see his long range shot pass the post.
Slovenia took the lead just on the hour mark as Adnan Besic’s shot crept past Gavin Carlin in the Irish goal.
Vincent Butler said after the game, “We should have been well ahead by half time, even if we got a second goal, Slovenia would not have got back into the game so easily. We dominated the game for large periods but I feel that our missed chances have cost us the game ”
The Republic of Ireland will face Slovenia in the second International Friendly on Thursday, 9th March in Whitehall, Kick-off: 19.30 hrs
Republic of Ireland
1. Ger Hanley (Salthill Devon)
2. Niall Byrne (Shelbourne)
3. Mark Power (Clonmel Town)
4. John Dunleavy (Ballybofey United)
5. Gavin Gunning (Crumlin United)
6. Conor Clifford (Crumlin United
7. Shane Howard (Crumlin United)
8. David Cawley (Shelbourne)
9. Darragh Satelle (Crumlin United)
10. Aaron Doran (Crumlin united)
11. Paul Murphy (Home Farm)
Substitutes
12. Richard Towell (Crumlin United) for Howard 50 Mins
13. Gavin McArdle (Home Farm) Dunleavy for 76 Mins
14. Greg Cunningham (Mervue United)
15. Karl Shephard (Shelbourne) for Murphy 72 Mins
16. Kevin Martin (Monaghan United)
17. David O’Brien (Crumlin United)
18. Garvan Broughal (Belvedere)
19. Callum O’Shea (Charlton Athletic) for Cawley, 50 Mins
20. Conor Hourihan (Douglas Hall) for Byrne, 65 Mins
22. Gavin Carlin (Crumlin United) for Hanley, 58 Mins |
