Republic of Ireland u15 1 Wales u15 1
Vinny Butler's current u15 crop stretched their unbeaten record to five games when they earned a draw against a physically dominant Welsh side at Frank Cooke Park, Dublin.
The Irish lads enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and took an early lead. But they held it only until the hour mark after tiring in the second half and surrendering the initiative to the Welsh.
It only took eleven minutes for the Irish to open their account. Livewire Enniscorthy All Blacks striker Paul Murphy tormented the Welsh on several occasions before tempting centre back Craig Morgan into a rash challenge inside the box. Murphy picked himself up and cracked home the penalty off the underside of the crossbar.
Ireland almost went two up when an Alan O'Brien corner deceived the defence and almost went all the way to the net - only the width of a goalpost saving the Welsh.
But there was an ominous sign for the Irish when Wales' Craig Garside embarked on a mazy run and fired in a dangerous cross for Rhys Carpenter to head wide.
It was Garside who dictated the second half from the hub of the Welsh midfield. He set up Carpenter for another shot on 58 minutes but this one whistled just over the top.
Two minutes later, though, Garside intercepted a Pat Flynn pass on the edge of the Irish box and curled the ball around 'keeper Alan Cosgrave and into the net for the equaliser.
Republic of Ireland: Alan Cosgrave (Stella Maris), James Lee Mathews (St. Joseph's Boys), Pat Flynn (St. Joseph's Boys), Derek Tyrell (Belvedere), Eddie Keyes (Belvedere), Willo Flood (Manchester City), Andrew Cousins (Belvedere), Richie Ryan (Belvedere), Alan O'Brien (St. Joseph's Boys), Paul Murphy (All Blacks), David Cassidy (Home Farm)
Subs: Stephen Quigley (Lourdes Celtic), Luke Byrne (Knock United), Rory Hutton (Peterborough), Kevin O'Connor (St. Joseph's Boys), James Hussey (Distillery), Barry Thornton (Cherry Orchard), Gary Mullligan (Belvedere)
Goal: Murphy 11
Wales: Danny Brimble, Simon Spender, Kirk Higgins, Josh Dupres, Craig Morgan, Michael Parkins, Marcus Orik, Craig Garside, Rhys Carpenter, Richard Ingram, Danny Thomas
Subs: Calliste for Dupres, Kitt for Ingram, Green for Higgins, Collins for Parkins
Goal: Garside 60 |
