AUSTRIA U-15 1-2 REPUBLIC IRELAND U-15
The Republic of Ireland Under-15s won the first game of their double-header against Austria in Vienna on Tuesday night as Conor Melody struck the decisive goal.
Ireland dominated the early stages of the match and were unlucky not to be in front as Ramadan and Devers both had good chances.
Irelands pressure paid off midway through the first half when the impressive Jesse Devers of Manulla squeezed the ball under the Austrian goalkeeper from an acute angle. Austria had been under pressure throughout the first half but got back into the game when Gmeiners deflected shot wrongfooted Gaffney in the Irish goal to leave the sides level at half time.
Austria improved noticably in a second half of free flowing, end to end football. Ireland still created the better chances and after five minutes of the second half were back in front through Mervue Utds Conor Melody who headed home Elworthys corner. Ramadan and Devers both brought fine saves from the Austrian keeper as both teams threatened in the closing stages but neither side could find another goal as the Irish boys ran out 2-1 winners.
The nations meet again tomorrow at the Stadion Donawitz (11am). That will be the last game of the campaign before the squad progress to the Under-16 age-group next term.
REP OF IRELAND: E Gaffney (Crumlin United); M. O Brien (Woodlawn Sportslink), R. Duggan (Malahide United), M. Hoban (St. Michaels), C. Melody (Mervue United), A. Breslin (St. Kevins Boys), C. Deasy (Malahide United), D. Kane (Cherry Orchard), S. Elworthy (St. Kevins Boys), C. Ramadan (Ipswich Town), J. Devers (Manulla).
Substitutions: M. Benrouggibbi (St. Josephs Boys) for Devers (62 mins), J Tarrant-Lowry (Springfield Ramblers) for O Brien, S. Byrne (St. Josephs Boys) for Kane (66 mins), T. Carey (Crumlin United) for Breslin (71 mins), C. Ellis (Bantry Bay) for Hoban (71 mins), A. Farrell (Shelbourne) for Elworthy (71 mins). |
