THE Republic of Ireland U18 side played out an impressive 2-2 draw with Germany in Rüsselsheim am Main today.
11th May 2016
Tom Mohan's side bounced back from the concession of an early goal to lead 2-1 at the break through a double from Birmingham City's Ronan Hale.
After conceding a second half equaliser the Irish were denied an injury-time when St Patrick's Athletic striker Jamie Aherne was taken down by the goalkeeper on the edge of the box when he was just about to shoot to an unguarded net. The keeper was dismissed but Ireland fired narrowly wide from the resulting free-kick.
Germany went ahead through Joel Richter of FSV Mainz in the seventh minute after a defensive lapse but Hale grabbed the first of his two goals in the 38th minute to level when he fired past the home keeper in a one on one situation.
The striker then struck again in the 45th minute and this time he rounded the keeper before the ball bounced up and he reacted swiftly to volley home.
Seven minutes into the second half the home side levelled through Kaiserslautern's Nicklas Shipnoski after another defensive error but despite those blips Mohan was very pleased with the game, which will serve as good preparation for next season\'s UEFA U!9 Championships Qualifiers.
"It was a good result but I was particular pleased with our overall performance. We were very good in the first half and had a couple of chances before they scored. We made a mistake and they punished us," said Mohan.
"The first half was very even. Ronan Hale could have had a hat-trick and was very dangerous.
"We kept possession well and defended well outside of the goal so we deserved to be ahead at the break. They got bodies forward in the second half and we made another mistake which was punished.
"The longer the second half went on we looked like we could score again particularly on the break when some of our counter-attacking was excellent
"Jamie Aherne was unlucky not to get the winner when went around the goalkeeper and was basically rugby tackled as he had an open net to kick into empty net.
"We went home disappointed to have drawn away to Germany which tells a story. We may have grabbed a late winner but in fairness our two goalkeepers Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers both made important saves.
"I'm pleased with how well things have gone. We did well in and out of possession. It was a very intense couple of days and a real group effort from staff and players. The boys will take great confidence from a performance against a side like Germany."
Next on the agenda is an U18 invitational tournament in Sweden next month before the Irish turn their minds to next season's U19 campaign.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Caoimhin Kelleher, Canice Carroll, Conor Masterson, Declan Rice, Robert McCourt, Conor Levingston, Corey O'Keefe, Connor Ronan, Zachary Elbouzedi. Ronan Hale, Jonathan Lunney.
Subs: Dara O'Shea for Rice 30 mins, Daniel Mandroiu for Ronan 65, Luke Wade-Slater for Carroll 65, Liam Brady for Elbouzedi 65, Mark Travers for Kelleher 71, Jamie Aherne for Hale 71, Anthony Scully for McCourt 80.
RESULT
Wednesday, May 11
Under 18 International Friendly
Germany 2-2 Republic of Ireland, Stadion Am Sommerdamm, Rüsselsheim am Main |
