11.02.2009 at 17:00 Gainstown Mullingar
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Attendance: |
Referee: |
Midlands International Tournament-match |
Ian Lawlor
Noe Baba
Robert Lehane
Michael Hyland
Jamie Smith
Eoin Hyland
Adam Evans
Jason Keane
Drew Armstrong
Brandon Miele
Carel Tiofack
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Jubarevs Igors, Flaksis Reinis, Melbardis Erikks, Slampe Endis, Upmalis Valdis, Muskars Agris, Kojubs Aleksefs, Punculs Eriks, Mikelsons Madis, Jkaunieks Davis, Sabala Valerijs |
Republic of Ireland 2 Latvia 2
Michael Drennan salvaged a point for the Republic of Ireland under 15 side when he dramatically converted an injury time penalty to gain a share of the points in this Under 15 International Midlands Tournament game played in Gainstown, home of Mullingar Atheltic, yesterday evening.
Under 15 manager John Morling felt it was no more than Ireland deserved after his side fought back twice after the Latvians had taken the lead from two set pieces.
A scoreless first half saw Ireland dominate, but the home side found it very difficult to break down and Ireland were forced to resorting to long range efforts with Adam Evans and Carel Tio Flack going close.
Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested although Jubarevs Igors had to advance smartly to deny striker Tio Flack after Michael Hyland had split the Latvian defence.
The visitors then took a shock lead in the 51st minute when Mikelsons Madis curled in a right wing free kick and as Ian Lawlor struggled to collect the ball, Latvian captain Melbardis Erikksgot a touch in a crowded penalty area to scramble the ball into the net.
Ireland replied immediately and inside two minutes, a long range shot by Darren O’Donoghue crashed off the crossbar and Carel Tio Fack reacted to tap into an empty net for the equaliser.
Latvia looked as though they would claim all three points when they scored yet again from a set piece in the 65th minute. Another right wing free by Mikelsons Madis was flicked on by Sabala Valerijs into the far corner of the net.
Ireland showed great character and continued in search of an equaliser, but they looked as though they would make their exit from the tournament, until the late penalty drama two minutes into injury time.
Latvia’s Punculs Eriks handled inside the area and Michael Drennan stepped up to convert the penalty to the delight of the home crowd.
The draw leaves Ireland on four points and they can now win this four-team tournament if they beat Belgium in Athlone on Friday (k.o 12 noon).
In the opening game in Gainstown, Belgium followed up their 4-3 victory over Latvia, with an emphatic 10-0 win over luckless Lithuania. Belgium led 3-0 at the break and scored two early goals in the second half to set themselves up for a very comfortable victory over a very young and inexperienced Lithuanian side.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Ian Lawlor, Eoin Hyland, Noe Baba, Jamie Smith, Drew Armstrong, Brandon Miele, Jason Keane, Michael Hyland, Robert Lehane, Adam Evans, Carel Tio Fack. Subs: Shane Griffin for Eoin Hyland (43 minutes), Darren O’Donoghue for Michael Hyland (50 minutes), Jamie McGlynn for Brandon Miele (50 minutes), Michael Drennan for Carel Tio Fack (63 minutes) Kealon Dillon for Robert Lehane (63 minutes).
LATVIA: Jubarevs Igors, Flaksis Reinis, Melbardis Erikks, Slampe Endis, Upmalis Valdis, Muskars Agris, Kojubs Aleksefs, Punculs Eriks, Mikelsons Madis, Jkaunieks Davis, Sabala Valerijs. Subs: Sadeins Jefa for Muskars Agris (50 minutes), Lamovs Igors for Kojubs Aleksefs (78 minutes), Furavlovs Mimals for Punculs Eriks (78 minutes).
Referee: James Dermody.
Midlands International Tournament Results & Fixtures
Tuesday, February 10 (At Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore) Latvia 3-4 Belgium Republic of Ireland 5-0 Lithuania
Wednesday, February 11 (At Mullingar Athletic FC) Belgium 10-0 Lithuania Republic of Ireland 2-2 Latvia
Friday, February 13 (At Lissywoolen Stadium, Athlone) Lithuania v Latvia (09.30 hrs) Republic of Ireland v Belgium (12.00 hrs) |
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