The Republic of Ireland Under-18s defeated Romania 2-1 in the first of two friendlies to take place between the sides in three days in Home Farm.
25th Mar 2018
Two first-half goals in the space of three minutes from Conor Tee and Cieran Dunne gave Jim Crawford's side a 2-0 lead. Romania pulled one back on the hour mark through defender Leca Maruis, but Ireland held out for an impressive win.
Speaking after the win, Head Coach Jim Crawford said he was delighted with the team's performance.
"The boys worked really hard in the past few days, and did what we asked of them in the first half. When we went 2-0 up, I though we took our foot off the pedal and let Romania back into the game. There's plenty to work on ahead of the second game, but it was a very pleasing performance.
"Romania will coming into the second game knowing what we're about. They will up their level, and we'll have to match that."
The two teams meet again at the same venue on Tuesday morning. Kick-off is at 11.30am.
Republic of Ireland: George McMahon; Jack James, James Clarke, Michael Collins, Andy Lyons; Zak O'Neill (Rory Doyle), Aaron Bolger (capt), Conor Tee (Thomas Caffrey); Cieran Dunne, Glen McAuley (JJ Kayode), Gavin Kilkenny. |
