Republic of Ireland "B" 1 Northern Ireland "B" 1
The Republic of Ireland Under-15 squads concluded their campaign by playing two matches against Northern Ireland at the tri-nations tournament in Belfast on Saturday.
The first game ended in a 1-1 draw while Ireland suffered their only defeat in four games at the event by losing 2-1 in the second fixture.
Republic manager Vincent Butler selected an extended squad of 32 players and divided those into two squads for the double-headers on both days.
Ireland opened the defence of their tri-nations title in formidable fashion on Friday, beating Wales 3-0 and drawing 2-2 in their other game against the Dragons.
On Saturday, they faced hosts Northern Ireland and, in the first game, earned a draw through David Murphy’s second half equaliser. Carlos Donovan then thought he had won it for Ireland but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Ireland went ahead in the second fixture against the North, courtesy of a John O’Sullivan header after a quarter of an hour.
Northern Ireland responded well in the second half and scored two spectacular goals to clinch a 2-1 victory and, with it, the title outright.
Republic of Ireland ‘B’Dean Smith (Belvedere), Giovanni Boccarossa (Crumlin United), Neil Byrne (Belvedere), Anthony Forde (Kingdom Boys), Uros Ivkovic (Kingdom Boys), Stephen Jewell (Shelbourne), Kevin Knight (St. Joesph’s Boys), Billy Lane (Mervue United), John Mountenay (Kiltimagh/Knock United), David Murphy (All Blacks), Neil Yadolahi (St. Kevin’s Boys).
Subs: Derrick Williams (Tramore) for Stephen Jewell - 22 mins, Alan Smith (Springfield) for Dean Smith, Conor McGlinchey (Hamilton Academicals) for Uros Ivkovic and Carlos Donovan (Stella Maris) for Anthony Forde – all 46 mins, Sean McGee (Hamilton Academicals) for Kevin Knight - 65 mins. |
