Sean McCaffrey's Irish U17 side completed their involvement in the Syrenka International Cup today with a 4-1 drubbing of a strong Romanian outfit in Poland today. Goals from Shane Byrne, Graham Burke, Daniel Purdy and Anton Rogers ensures that the Irish will be brimming with confidence ahead of the UEFA Championship, first qualifying phase where they will face Sweden, Bulgaria and Latvia from the 27th September - 2nd October.
Following two defeats to Russia and Sweden earlier this week, the Irish started brightly and they took the lead through Leicester City's Shane Byrne who picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and he unleashed an unstoppable shot which gave the Romanian keeper, Bodea no chance.
Bodea was called into the action five minutes later when Daniel Purdy burst through the Romanian defence but Bodea stood firm and saved the shot from the West Ham striker.
Belvedere's Graham Burke doubled Irelands advantage after 22 minutes when he blasted his left-footed shot beyond Bodea from the edge of the box. After 34 minutes, Burke almost grabbed a second when he attempted an audacious lob, just inside Romania's half but Bodea was on-hand to get back on his line to save the spectacular effort.
Romania were back in the game after 56 minutes when a corner was swung into the Irish box and Negrut was on-hand to head home from close range. As Romania pushed forward for an equaliser, Sean McDermott in Ireland's goal made a vital double save after 58 minutes from Romanian striker, Bodo Kanda.
Sean McCaffrey's side refused to be drawn into a battle of securing a 2-1 victory and they were rewarded for their attacking play after 62 minutes when George Smith crossed into the box and the half-cleared ball found its way to Daniel Purdy who controlled neatly and slotted the ball past substitute keeper, Justin Popescu to make the score 3-1.
Ireland wrapped up the scoring after 79 minutes when the hard-working George Smith played a sublime ball to Anton Rogers who calmly shot the ball past Popescu to wrap up the 4-1 victory for McCaffrey's men.
Republic of Ireland
Sean McDermott, Ben Glasgow, Sean McGinty, Richard Bryan, Neil Yadolahi, Brian McGroary, Shane Byrne, Callum Webb, Anton Rodgers, Graham Burke, Daniel Purdy
Substitutes: George Smith on for Brian McGroary (45 mins), Anthony Forde on for Callum Webb (45 mins), Frankie Sutherland on for Shane Byrne (63 mins), Aiden O'Brien on for Daniel Purdy (71 mins), Jack Bonham on for Sean McDermott (77 mins)
U17 Syrenka International Cup tournament results
Tuesday, 1 September
Russia 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Wednesday, 2 September
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Sweden
Friday, 4 September
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Romania. |
