Netherlands U15 2 Rep of Ireland U15 1
The Republic of Ireland Under-15s took an early second half lead away to the Netherlands in Thursdays second instalment of this weeks double-header but were beaten by a Dutch winner ten minutes from time.
Following their 2-0 defeat on Tuesday, when the hosts netted twice in the second half, Ireland manager John Morling changed his starting team to include all seven substitutes.
Similar to the first game, the Irish had their chances to be ahead in the first half. Striker Sam Byrne was unlucky to see his header on five minutes from Alex Wixteds corner rebound off the crossbar.
Steven McCarthy also went close to pushing the visitors ahead with a crisp shot that whistled just wide but the sides remained deadlocked at the break.
With the game evenly poised, Ireland were the team displaying more purpose early in the second half and deservedly surged into the lead on 51 minutes.
Dylan Hayes, partnering his St. Josephs Boys team-mate Sam Byrne in attack, pressurised the Dutch defence as they attempted to play out from the back and, after dispossessing the centre-back, burst through on goal before angling a low drive into the far corner.
Moments later, McCarthy was denied Irelands second goal by a superb save and the Netherlands cancelled out the opener with an equaliser from Hendricks three minutes after going behind.
The Dutch dominated possession for the next period and converted their territorial superiority into the decisive goal with ten minutes later as Hendricks grabbed his second with a back-post header.
While both games ended in defeat for the Irish charges, manager John Morling was not too downbeat about his squads showing against a top-quality side over the two matches.
"The Boys that came into the team today performed well and we have a lot to be positive about," he said.
"Other than the last 20 minutes when the Dutch were on top, we pushed them hard and were worthy of our lead in the second half. We created three good opportunities and Dylan finished his chance excellently.
"Where as in Tuesdays game when we stood off the Dutch early in the second half, we took the game to them today and the boys were unfortunate not to get a draw from the match."
Republic of Ireland: Eric Grimes (Ringmahon Rangers); James Mullaney (Portlaoise), Kyle McFadden (Swilly Rovers), Ryan O Reilly (Ballyjamesduff), Daniel O Reilly (Cherry Orchard); Steven McCarthy (Skibbereen), Thomas Mulroney (Crumlin United), Darren Murphy (Rockmount), Adam Wixted (Stella Maris); Sam Byrne (St. Joseph s Boys), Dylan Hayes (St. Josephs Boys).
Substitutions: Gary O Neill (Kingdom Boys) for Hayes, Sam O Connor (Malahide United) for McCarthy (both 57 mins), Sean Coyne (Cherry Orchard) for R. O Reilly, Glody Nsay (Cherry Orchard) for Murphy, Jonathon Leddy (Cavan Shamrocks) for Mulroney (all 71 mins), Sean Long (Cherry Orchard) for Mullaney (75 mins). |
