The Republic of Ireland led Malta 1-0 at half-time of their Under 18 friendly match in Malta on Wednesday and went on to dominate the game.Two further goals in the second half left the Irish with a three goal advantage.
The Irish were unaware until shortly before kick-off that Malta would be represented by their Under 19 selection for the locals were highly impressed with Ireland’s performance when they beat Malta’s Under 18 team on Monday, within 24 hours of travelling.
Malta’s judgement was proved to be wise as Ireland struck a good rhythm immediately and played with commendable urgency.
They were rewarded after a vigorous opening half-hour with a goal in the 40th minute. A corner was swung in by John Connellan and John Quigley powered home a header.
Ireland continued to play with style and effectiveness after the break. They jumped two in front when Mark Salmon drilled a low shot into the net from inside the penalty after a good bout of inter-passing between Jim Ryan and Andrew Jackson.
A third goal helped to highlight the play of Adam Rooney, who emerged as one of Ireland’s success stories over the two games. A long diagonal ball from Matthew Cassidy found Rooney on the left of goal.
He pulled the ball down with his right foot and, in an instant, hammered home a left-foot shot from 30 yards.
John Quigley at left-back, emerged as Ireland’s top player on an evening when the team worked smoothly and progressively, even after several substitutions.
Others to impress were Jim Ryan, Luke Hickie, Mark Salmon and Rooney.
Ireland’s manager Sean McCaffrey expressed himself delighted with the brief visit to Malta – “We played very well tonight” he said, “it was a very valuable exercise and gave lads who are on the periphery some very good experience. I could not have asked for more.”
Malta 0-3 Republic of Ireland
Sean McCaffrey’s Republic of Ireland under-18 side made it two wins from two games against hosts Malta this week with a resounding victory on Wednesday evening, with Stoke City pair John Quigley and Adam Rooney both on target in the 3-0 win.
The Irish youngsters had taken a 1-0 win on Monday, less than 24 hours after making their arrival in the Mediterranean hotspot.
And they showed the benefit of two more days of acclimatisation with a stunning performance to take a convincing win over a Maltese under-19 selection on Wednesday.
Defender Quigley opened the scoring five minutes before half-time and his Britannia Stadium clubmate Rooney, who had scored a stunning winner in Monday’s game, followed up with another stunner to make it 3-0 midway through the second half, just minutes after coming on as a substitute.
In between, Wolves winger Mark Salmon had doubled Ireland’s advantage as McCaffrey’s kids dominated.
Five Irish-based players started the game – Derry City goalkeeper Eugene Ferry, Geraldines defender Patrick Mullins, John Connellan of Athlone Town and Shelbourne duo Kevin McArdle and Chris Mulhall – while another, Crumlin United’s Mark Byrne, was introduced from the bench.
Republic of Ireland under-18s: Eugene Ferry (Derry City), Kevin McArdle (Shelbourne), Patrick Mullins (Geraldines), Darren Dennehy (Everton), John Quigley (Stoke City), Mark Salmon (Wolves), Jim Ryan (Liverpool), Luke Hickie (Barnet), John Connellan (Athlone Town), Andrew Jackson (St. Johnstone), Chris Mulhall (Shelbourne). Subs: Robert Bayly (Leeds Utd) for Connellan (half-time), Matthew Cassidy (Bolton Wanderers) for McArdle (52 mins), William John Kiely (Aberdeen) for Mulhall (60 mins), Adam Rooney (Stoke City) for Jackson (60 mins), Michael Liddle (Sunderland) for Ryan (71 mins), Mark Byrne (Crumlin United) for Salmon (74 mins). |
