Republic of Ireland "A" 3 Wales "A" 0
The Republic of Ireland were by the far the better of the teams when the ‘A’ teams met up directly after the first game.
Daniel Purdy fresh from spearheading Crumlin United to the National Irish Bank SFAI Under-14 Goodson Cup title last Saturday, made his mark again by opening the scoring with a penalty after only three minutes.
The striker stepped up and fired the spot-kick into the bottom right corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way in the process.
Purdy netted his and Ireland’s second with 15 minute gone by converting a teasing cross from Lorcan Shannon.
Substitute Shane Byrne made the game safe with the third Irish goal three minutes from full-time, blasting the ball into the net after Wales failed to properly clear a corner.
The final series of games take place today, Saturday, May 24, when the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland contest two matches with kick-off times of 2pm and 4pm respectively.
Republic of Ireland ‘A’: McDermott (Vaag FK Norway), Morrissey (Waterford Bohs), Maloney (St. Josephs Boys), Devine (Crumlin United), McGinty (Charlton Athletic), Shannon (St. Kevin’s Boys), O’Sullivan (Belvedere), McHugh (Dungloe Town), Merritt (Milford United), Purdy (Crumlin United), McGuinness (Lourdes Celtic).
Subs: Mahon (Raheny United) for Purdy, Byrne (Crumlin United) for O’Sullivan (both 52 mins), Barker (Shelbourne) for Morrissey, Kavanagh (Belvedere) for McHugh (both 60 mins), Burdon (Rennes) for McDermott (62 mins).
Report from Wales
An injury picked up during the warm up saw Kurtis March have to withdraw. Wales were given a football lesson by a very talented Irish side. Robert Maloney and Sean McGinty were outstanding at the back for the Irish and gave the Welsh forwards little joy. Republic of Ireland went ahead when a clumsy challenge in the box resulted in the award of a penalty. This was expertly converted giving Jonathan Bond no chance. The second goal was conceded after the Welsh Goalkeeper, Bond hesitated when a long ball dropped over his defender s head and this delay and lack of communication between the two Welsh players allowed the small winger to dart in between them to head over Bond and into the net. Bond redeemed himself soon after saving a close range shot to his left. The second half continued in much the same way with Ireland in the ascendancy although the Welsh team worked hard with little to show. Emyr Huws went the closest with a free kick that was deflected off the wall forcing an excellent save from Nial Burdon. The final goal came from a corner that was not cleared properly and was fired in via a deflection. |
