14.08.2008 at 18:00 Locamotiv Stadium
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Attendance: |
Bulgaria |
2 - 0
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Rep of Ireland |
Ivan Vinkov 11 mins; Geoghi Milanov 23 mins; |
None. |
Under-17 Friendly International Bulgaria 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Sean McCaffrey’s Irish Under-17 were not as clinical in attack as they were in Tuesday’s win over Bulgaria as they slipped to defeat in Sofia today.
The starting team showed six changes to the side that beat Bulgaria in the first meeting between the nations.
Ireland enjoyed a lively opening and might have led inside five minutes had Sean Stewart managed to get his shot on-target after Ryan Connolly whipped in a cross from the wing.
Bulgaria took the lead after 11 minutes when the Irish defence was opened up and goalkeeper Sean Diamond was beaten from the edge of the box.
It got worse for the Irish on 23 minutes when they conceded a penalty following a challenge inside the area by captain Danny Joyce. Once more, Diamond was helpless to prevent the Bulgaria attacker making it 2-0.
Stung by the concession of those goals, Ireland looked to cut the arrears but struggled to create chances as the break approached.
Jeff Hendrick and Ryan Connolly both tried their luck with shots which flew over the crossbar in the second half but they couldn’t pull a goal back.
Manager Sean McCaffrey intended to use these two matches as preparation for the UEFA Championship qualifying series commencing next month and he was given an insight into the capabilities of the 19 players who made the trip to Sofia.
Ireland travel to Luxembourg from September 26 - October 1 to meet Greece, Andorra and the mini-group hosts looking to clinch one of the two qualifying places into the Elite phase.
Republic of Ireland Under-17: Sean Diamond - St. Johnstone Daniel Joyce - Reading Eoghan Osborne - Albion Rovers John Egan - Greenwood Mark O'Brien - Derby County Eoin Wearen - West Ham United Sean Stewart - St. Kevin’s Boys Shane Murray - Arklow Town Stephen McDonnell - Celtic Ryan Connolly - Derby County Michael Rafter - Colchester United Substitutions: Sean Skelly – Belvedere for Murray (inj) – 21 mins Ciaran Gallagher - Castlefin for Diamond – 41 mins Paul Lawless - Derby County for Osbourne – 41 mins Robert Benson - Athlone Town for Wearen – 41 mins Jeffrey Hendrick - Derby County for Rafter – 57 mins Patrick McEleney – Foyle Harps for Stewart – 57 mins Anthony O'Connor - Blackburn Rovers for McDonnell – 77 mins.
Tuesday August 12 Bulgaria 0-2 Rep. of Ireland
Thursday August 14 Bulgaria 2-0 Rep. of Ireland |
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