TURKEY 1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0
The final game for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s on Thursday before Mays UEFA elite stage qualifiers in ended in defeat against Turkey.
Ireland Head Coach Paul Doolin made seven changes to the side which drew -1-1 against the Turks on Tuesday and they made to work against a powerfully talented home team at the Maltepe Stadium in Istanbul.
After withstanding some early pressure, it was Ireland who created a clearcut chance on 18 minutes. Danny Morrissey released Colm Horgan into space and his cross fell at the feet of Ken McEvoy.
The Tottenham Hotspur winger had scored on Tuesday but, this time, a defender produced a block to suppress the danger.
Turkey were slick in their movement and hit the front on 21 minutes. Ilker Sayan spotted the opening to drill a shot through a crowded goalmouth and past goalkeeper Alan Smith.
Morrissey, on his first international start, drew a good save from Turkish stopper Cinar as the interval approached.
The second half was less frenetic and Ireland enjoyed more possession without hurting their hosts in the final third.
From a couple of Ireland set-pieces, there were half-chances but seldom was the home keeper worked.
"Turkey were far better than us in the first half but I felt we did enough in the second half to maybe get a draw," said Doolin afterwards.
"These were good test for us in relation to the qualifiers but it is not ideal being without so many regular players.
"We got to see the new lads during training and the matches. That is important because we will only know in May who we have available for sure."
Ireland will compete from May 26-31 for a place at this Julys Under-19 European Championship when they face mini-group hosts Portugal, Ukraine and Israel.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: A. Smith (Rangers); Horgan (Salthill Devon), Qualter (Leeds United), Hoban (Watford), Kavanagh (Fulham); Glasgow (QPR), O Sullivan (Blackburn Rovers), Sutherland (QPR); McEvoy (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrissey (Cork City), C. Smith (Watford).
Substitutions: N. Byrne (Rochdale) for Hoban, Barker (Bohemians) for Horgan, J. Forde (Cork City) for Kavanagh (all 46 mins), O Brien (Millwall) for Morrissey (56 mins), G. Smith (Southend United) for C. Smith (65 mins). |
