THE Republic of Ireland home-based U18 squad lost 2-0 in a friendly game against Wales at Bangor City tonight.
Wales opened the scoring when Zyacc Edwards scored after 15 minutes. The Welsh were awarded a contentious corner and while the Irish cleared to the edge of box and Edwards stepped up to shoot home from edge of box.
Stella Maris striker Gareth McCaffery was denied an equaliser on 18 minutes when he had a shot from eight yards out well saved by Welsh goalkeeper Luke Evans.
The home side extended their lead in the 23th minutes when Callum Holden ball raced onto a ball over the top and beat Irish keeper Shane Morrissey and defender Paddy Slevin to poke home.
McCaffrey had another chance to pull one back in the 35th minute when he broke through on goal but Evans saved again.
Two minutes after the restart Tramore AFC's Shane Mackey had an attempt cleared off the line after an Irish corner.
The Irish were denied again on 78 minutes when substitute Cathal McDaid had a decent effort turned over by substitute keeper Connah James McFenton.
Head Coach Paul Doolin said: "It was a very good game and some of the football we played was excellent considering the players had only been together for a few days.
"I'm sure the players will have gained a lot from this experience and quite a few of them produced very good performances. The goals were just unfortunate.
"A lot of credit should go to Jim Crawford for the coaching he has done with them this week."
Republic of Ireland U18 squad: Shane Morrissey (Waterford Bohs FC); Lloyd Buckley (Shamrock Rovers FC), Paddy Slevin (Derry City FC), Shane Mackey (Tramore AFC), Jake Dykes (Sligo Rovers FC), Darragh Black (Finn Harps FC), Conor O’Driscoll (Cork City FC), Conor Tourish (Derry City FC), Gareth McCaffrey (Stella Maris FC), Alex O’Callaghan (Liffey Valley Rangers FC), George Kelly (Aileach FC).
Subs: Anthony McAlavey (Cork City FC) for O'Callaghan 46; Alan Browne (Cork City FC) for Tourish 46; Cathal McDaid (Finn Harps FC) for Kelly 46; Peter Healy (Mervue United FC)for Morrissey 46; Darren Kilcawley (Sligo Rovers FC) for Black 63; Ryan Goldsmith (Mayfield United FC) for McCaffrey 63; Liam Flatley (Castlebar Celtic FC) for O'Driscoll 46. |
