REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.....0-0......ASPIRE ACADEMY (QATAR)
The Republic of Ireland Under-15s got their season off to an encouraging start on Monday as they gave a good account of themselves against the Aspire Academy at the Khalifa Stadium in Qatar.
The one ingredient missing from Ireland's display against a side they were giving away a year to in age was a goal.
John Morling's side did fashion a number of clear-cut chances in both halves to break the deadlock but lacked the finishing touch in the vital area as well as coming up against a talented goalkeeper for the home side.
This was the opening game of the campaign for Ireland and they looked a solid outfit in the first game of this week's double-header at the world-renowned sports campus.
Sam O'Connor of Malahide United was presented with an opening to fire Ireland ahead after only five minutes only to miss before Sam Byrne shot straight at the ‘keeper when put through on goal.
Byrne was lively on the Irish wing in the first half and again went close after weaving past two defenders to get a sight on goal only for his effort to be saved.
Aspire's only real chance of the opening half arrived following an Irish corner when they launched a counter-attack but goalkeeper Sean Fagan was relieved to see the shot strike the post and bounce away to safety.
Both sides had opportunities in the second half and Ireland produced the best of them when Byrne's crossed found Conor McDonald and his left-foot volley beat the goalkeeper but smashed off the post.
Ireland manager John Morling was impressed with the workout. He said: "It was an entertaining game and we kept the ball really well in possession, which is something we emphasise to the players at this stage of their development.
"We defended well and it says a lot about the number of chances we created that the Aspire goalkeeper was man of the match. Our lads were disappointed not to win the game but they can take heart from their display, especially against an older team in their first match together at this level."
REP OF IRELAND: Shane Fagan (Cherry Orchard); Sean Long (Cherry Orchard), Kyle McFadden (Swilly Rovers), Daniel O'Reilly (Cherry Orchard), Sean Coyne (Cherry Orchard); Conor McDonald (St. Kevin's Boys), Glody Nsay (Cherry Orchard), Jonathon Leddy (Cavan Shamrocks), Sam Byrne (St. Joseph's Boys); Sam O'Connor (Malahide United), Gary O'Neill (Kingdom Boys).
Substitutions: Dylan Hayes (St. Joseph's Boys) for McDonald, Adam Wixted (Stella Maris) for O'Connor (both 60 mins)
Result and Fixture:
Monday December 14
Republic of Ireland U15 0-0 Aspire Academy U16
Khalifa Stadium
Wednesday December 16 (6pm local time)
Republic of Ireland U15 v Aspire Academy U15
Khalifa Stadium. |
