Under-15 Celtic tri-nations tournament
Republic of Ireland U-15 ‘A’ 1-1 Wales U-15 ‘A’.
The Republic of Ireland Under-15 team showed positive signs of progress on Saturday in their final game of the season at the Celtic tri-nations Cup against tournament victors Wales.
Michael Drennan put Ireland into a deserved lead with a quarter of an hour remaining only for Wales to cancel it out with an equaliser from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Ireland felt short-changed in their previous game of the tournament against Northern Ireland by losing 3-2 after retrieving a two-goal deficit and John Morling's side, showing seven changes to the starting line-up, went about making amends with a bright opening at the University of Glamorgan.
Initially, the play was evenly balanced but Ireland soon took control and fashioned three decent chances.
Kealan Dillon’s shot looked destined for the top corner until the goalkeeper produced a fine fingertip save before both Ken McEvoy and Michael Drennan were denied scoring on two separate occasions as defenders charged back in time to prevent certain goals.
The second half saw Ireland maintain their attacking tempo and Drennan pushed them in front midway through the half by surging into space and finding the top corner with a perfectly executed drive.
Based on the previous results in the event, one more goal would have been enough for Ireland to regain the winner’s trophy but they ere hit with a sucker punch five minutes later when defender Stephen Smith was penalised in the box for a hand-ball when a shot brushed off his arm. Goalkeeper Joe Coll was given no chance with the spot-kick.
Aside from an unsuccessful penalty claim when Eoin Hyland tangled in the box, Ireland were limited in their attempts to win the game in the latter stages.
Republic of Ireland manager John Morling offered a positive assessment of his players' displays over the two matches against Northern Ireland and Wales.
“The team played well in both games and we gave five lads their debuts in the first match against Northern Ireland," he said.
“I felt the side moved the ball around well, looked comfortable in possession and, had we taken a few more of the several chances created in each game, I’m sure they would have come out with two victories. The main purpose, though, was the performances and, in that regard, I’m pleased.”
Meanwhile, in the B game between Ireland and Wales also played on Saturday, it was the Irish who emerged victorious courtesy of Joe O’Brien’s solitary first-half goal. That result, coupled with the 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland on Friday, meant they finished top of the tri-nations section. |
