Republic of Ireland 1-1 Spain
Sean McCaffrey’s Republic of Ireland under-17 squad need a minor miracle if they are to claim victory in the friendly four-tram tournament in the Canary Islands after an injury time equaliser from Cesar Martinez pegged them back in the group’s second game on Wednesday.
The Irish youngsters had been under pressure for much of the game, but with Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Darren Randolph enjoying a good game between the sticks, the Spaniards were unable to force their way into the lead.
And the boys in green stole into the lead just after the hour mark when Ipswich Town youngster Cathal Lordan rose well to power home a corner from Everton’s Alan Kearney, who had been introduced as a half-time substitute.
One man from either side, Liverpool’s John Paul Kelly and Etxe Urkiaga from Spain, were sent off in the next five minutes, but Ireland maintained their advantage until the shadow of injury time and could have been forgiven for looking ahead to a highly creditable tournament win.
With their draw in the opening game against Italy behind them, and a game to come against the tournament’s weakest side, a representative team from the Canary Island hosts, the Irish were favourites for the outright victory.
However, Martinez’s late leveller, with a good finish past Randolph with the Irish defence momentarily losing concentration, ensured that Ireland need to win by five clear goals against the Canarians on Friday and hope that the Spaniards and the Italians cancel each other out to take the win.
Republic of Ireland under-17s: Randolph (Charlton), O’Halloran (Aston Villa), Fitzgerald (Lourdes Celtic), J.P. Kelly (Liverpool), Clarke (Ipswich Town), Hayes (Reading), Gibson (Manchester United), S. Kelly (Kingdom Boys), Naughton (Nottingham Forest), Rafferty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Chambers (Shelbourne).
Subs: Kearney (Everton) for Naughton (45 mins), Lordan (Ipswich Town) for Clarke, Gaynor (Millwall) for Chambers (62), O’Leary (Aberdeen) for Hayes (83). |
