Republic of Ireland Under-15 1-0 Belgium Under-15
Robin Dempsey 7
The Republic of Ireland Under-15 side continued their strong form by defeating Belgium tonight (Tues) at the Oscar Traynor Complex in the first match of this weeks double-header.
Facing a technically adept Belgian side, the Irish had to work hard off the ball for long spells but took their chance of a goal when it arrived and could have had a larger winning margin to show for their endeavours.
Ireland sped into the lead after just seven minutes as Robin Dempsey, up from central-defence for a corner, broke free at the back post to head home.
Gijs Brouwers should have had the visitors level ten minutes later when the ball broke loose in the box but he poked the shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
The Irish posed danger from another corner shortly afterwards when Dean O Hallorans delivery fell to Alex O Hanlon but the St. Kevins Boys youngster could not keep his volley down when he was first to the dropping ball eight yards out.
Eoghan Stokes screwed a low shot wide of Sascha Saigals left-hand post just past the half hour mark as Ireland began to see the benefits of O Hallorans spadework on the wing.
The second half saw Belgium open brightly with mercurial midfielder Charly Musonda at the hub of their creativity.
Irish keeper Peter Burke dealt comfortably with a snap-shot by Zakaria Bakalli three minutes after the restart.
At the other end, O Hallorans effort forced Saigal to parry and although Jack Byrne showed neat-footwork to gather the rebound, his shot veered off-target.
The nations meet again on Thursday at the same venue in the second part of the double-header (12 noon).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-15: Burke (Moville Celtic), Traynor (St Josephs Boys), Baba (Castlebar Celtic), O Hanlon (St Kevins Boys), Dempsey (St Josephs Boys), Byrne (St Kevins Boys), Donnellan (Corinthian Boys, Cork), O Halloran (Southend), Stokes (St Kevins Boys), Collier (Crystal Palace), Corey Galvin (Corinthian Boys).
Substitutions: Kelliher (Avondale Utd) for Dempsey (62 mins), Evan Galvin (Corinthian Boys) for Stokes, Daryl Carrigy (Stella Maris) for C. Galvin (both (66 mins), Val Feeney (Birr Town) for Collier (73 mins), Jordan Toland (Swilly Rovers) for Byrne, Conor Shaughnessy (Salthill Devon) for Donnellan (both 75 mins). |
