Netherlands U15 2 Republic of Ireland U15 0
The Republic of Ireland Under-15s put up a brave show against the Netherlands in Tuesday nights friendly in Assen but succumbed to a pair of second half goals from the Dutch.
Having matched their opponents throughout the opening half but failed to convert their chances into goals, the home side took two of theirs when they arrived shortly after the restart.
Ireland manager John Morling explained that while he was disappointed for the charges to finish on the losing side they can be heartened by their showing against one of Europe foremost nations in producing technically gifted players.
To continue the development of the squad, Morling intends to give all seven substitutes players from the first game starting berths in the side for Thursdays second instalment of the double-header.
Ireland had a genuine claim for a penalty turned down early on against the Dutch when striker Sam O Connor was bundled over as he thrust into the box ready to pull the trigger.
O Connors attacking partner, Sam Byrne, was also a menace for the Dutch rearguard and tested their goalkeeper with a shot after creating the space to shoot by cutting in from the left-wing.
St. Josephs Boys striker Byrne was in the thick of the action twice more in the lead-up to the interval and unlucky not to have Ireland ahead.
Firstly, he showed a clean pair of heels to charge through on goal only to be denied by the keeper and was then inches wide with an effort after again pacing away from his marker.
The Netherlands were glad to come in at half-time on level terms and set about breaking down Irelands stern defence on the turnaround.
It took them just eight minutes of the second half to forge ahead and they added another past goalkeeper Shane Fagan on 65 minutes.
Still, Ireland pressed for a goal in the final quarter of an hour and with Gary O Neill creative from midfield, the openings emerged.
From an O Neills free-kick, defender Dan O Reilly rose to head downwards back across goal to his team-mates but the Dutch keeper was swift to avert the danger.
O Neill fashioned another chance as full-time loomed, pinpointing a pass to Byrne who angled his shot just wide of the post.
Ireland manager John Morling offered his assessment after the game.
He said: "I was quite happy with our first-half performance as we defended well and enjoyed more possession than I expected we would have against the Dutch.
"I felt we did enough to score at least one goal and, if that had been the first of the game, we may have had a different outcome. Up against a class outfit like the Netherlands, putting those chances away is imperative."
He added: "This was our lads first experience of playing at such a high international level and the physical, as well as the mental, tiredness that goes with was a factor in the second half when the Dutch got on top.
"We have a few things to work on for Thursdays second game but there were lots of positives to take away from this display."
Republic of Ireland: Shane Fagan (Cherry Orchard); Sean Long (Cherry Orchard), Daniel O Reilly (Cherry Orchard), Kyle McFadden (Swilly Rovers), Sean Coyne (Cherry Orchard); Gary O Neill (Kingdom Boys), Glody Nsay (Cherry Orchard), Jonathon Leddy (Cavan Shamrocks), Dylan Hayes (St. Josephs Boys); Sam Byrne (St. Josephs Boys), Sam O Connor (Malahide United).
Substitutions: Steven McCarthy (Skibbereen) for Leddy, Thomas Mulroney (Crumlin United) for O Connor (both 60 mins), Darren Murphy (Rockmount) for Long, James Mullaney (Portlaoise) for Nsay (both 70 mins)
Tuesday April 13
Netherlands 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Assen
Thursday April 15 (11am)
Netherlands v Republic of Ireland
Assen |
