Irish Under 15’s Claim Dramatic Win in Qatar Series
Aspire Academy Under-16 2-3 Republic of Ireland Under-15 Conor Murphy 20, 46 Robert Brady 60
The Republic of Ireland Under-15 side recorded an exciting 3-2 victory over Aspire Academy in Qatar today to claim the series following a win and a loss to their hosts earlier in the week.
Conor Murphy scored a goal in each half for Vincent Butler's side and Robert Brady netted the third for the Irish with ten minutes remaining to make it 3-1. Aspire pulled a goal back late in the match but Ireland held out to win the game and take the series outright.
Ireland began strongly and took a deserved lead on 20 minutes when Murphy latched onto a through ball from Robert Brady and blasted a low shot past the goalkeeper into the net.
Aspire equalised approaching the half-time when they seized upon a goalkeeping error and converted from close-range.
Butler’s team continued to create chances when the game resumed in the second half and regained their lead through another striker from Murphy. The St. Kevin’s Boys combination was again in evidence when Brady fed Murphy with a pass and the striker kept his cool to drill the ball home.
Ireland made it 3-1 with ten minutes remaining when a move that began with Danny Joyce winning a header on the half-way line ended when Robert Brady volleying into the net a cross from the left wing by substitute, Ethan Mannion.
The hosts punished the Irish for switching off immediately after extending their lead by scoring straight away to set up a tense finale.
Ireland manager Vincent Butler felt his side were dominant in the game and got a deserved victory.
“We always had control of the game and the quality of our passing was excellent. At times, we got caught out with a lack of concentration but overall, the players were magnificent today and proved to be worthy winners.”
“This trip to Qatar has been a worthwhile exercise,” he continued. “We lost the first game 2-0 which I would put purely down to fatigue, considering we were travelling for 17 hours on the previous day. The team played better in the 1-0 win over Aspire on Tuesday and today was their best performance. The opposition put out their strongest team, who were a year older than our lads, but they coped very well and there’s a fair few decent players in our squad.”
Republic of Ireland:
Craig Sexton(Belvedere)
Leigh Swords(Belvedere)
Gareth Wallace(Wexford Albion)
Matt Doherty(Belvedere)
Daniel Joyce(Belvedere)
Eoin Wearan(St. Kevins Boys)
Jeffrey Hendrick(St. Kevins Boys)
Sean Skelly(Belvedere)
Stephen McDonnell Quay Celtic)
Robert Brady(St. Kevins Boys)
Conor Murphy(St. Kevins Boys)
SUBS:
Jordan Phillpott(Kilreen Celtic) for O’Donnell (15 mins)
Paul Whyte(Ballinroad) for Wearan (55 mins)
Ethan Mannion(St. Kevins Boys) for Phillpott (55 mins)
Keith Wright(WFTA) for Sexton (60 mins)
Jack Carty(Hodson Bay) for Doherty (67 mins)
Jean Biamsumba(Confey) for Murphy (67 mins) |
