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04.04.2006 at 17:00 Lamberton (Arklow)
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Attendance: 220 |
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Referee: Declan Hanney (FAI) |
Friendly / TS-match |
In the beautiful surroundings of Lamberton Ireland’s Under 18 squad had a 1-0 victory over Hungary in the first of two international games to be played this week
The pitch which was in immaculate condition and all credit is due to the Arklow Town committee and helpers. After a week of consistent rain the staff worked wonders in getting the pitch in such good state
Stoke City full-back John Quigley was given the captaincy of Ireland’s U18 team for this friendly game against Hungary in Arklow and he marked the occasion by scoring Ireland’s winning goal.
The defender popped up to plant the ball past Hungary ‘keeper Norbert Bakonyi from the just inside of penalty area eight minutes before half-time after the visitors failed to clear a corner.
Ireland first real opportunity came in the 18th minute when Mark Salmon with a long clearance from defence nearly set up Adam Rooney but the long legs of Hungarian centre half Sandor managed to clip the ball back to keeper Bakonyi.
Ireland were beginning to get on top at this stage and a great reverse pass by Salmon put Madden in space down the right wing but his cross went over the head of Rooney in the box and the ball was cleared.
The goal came from Ireland’s third corner in quick succession and it was well deserved considering they had most of the possession and chances before the break.
The first corner was headed out and Salmon on the edge of the box returned the effort and keeper Bakonyi was on his toes to push the ball around the post for the second corner in a row.
The second corner was put in for Dennehy to get his head to it and with the ball dipping under the bar the full back Toth managed to get his head to it and put it over the bar for the third corner in a row.
This time the pressure eventually paid off as Treacy sent over a great ball which had the Hungarian defence in a flap and when the ball came out to Alan Power instead of shooting he laid the ball brilliantly for John Quigley to hit low and hard for the opening goal.
Simon Madden was involved in the first-half for the Republic. The Leeds United right-back was given licence to help his attackers with overlapping runs and cropped up in threatening positions regularly during the opening 45 minutes.
Irish manager Sean McCaffrey experimented with his team selection and formation for the game and is expected to try out more options on Wednesday (April 5) when his squad meet Hungary again at the same venue (Kick-off 5pm).
Mark Salmon from Wolves looked lively in midfield, offering plenty of support for strikers Adam Rooney and Andrew Jackson.
Sean Mc Caffrey made two changes at half time with Onwubiko and Cassidy replacing
Treacy and Jackson
Stoke first-team squad member Rooney had Ireland’s best chance of extending their lead early in the second half when he directed his header towards goal but again after Madden had sent over a looping cross which Onwubiko with his first touch played into the path of Rooney however the ‘keeper was equal to the task and the ball was scrambled to safety.
After 64 minutes a free kick taken by Dennehy on the half way line saw Rooney climb highest and his header towards goal was well saved by Bakonyi.
Hungary had a quick break away when Farkas one of Hungary’s better players got the ball in his own box and with great speed managed to get to the edge of the Irish box where he was disposed by Mullins. The Hungarians were screaming for a penalty but the referee Declan Hanney waved away their appeals.
After 65 minutes Mark Salmon was replaced by Stephen Maher with Stephen Gleeson going into central midfield.
A defensive blunder nearly caused blushes in the home defence but a great tackle by Simon Madden rectified the error to the delight of the crowd.
Ireland had one other opportunity when Dennehy up for a corner was unable to react quick enough to a ball landing at his feet and the keeper Bakonyi dived bravely at his feet to divert the danger.
Republic ‘keeper Jimmy McKeown, on his debut, had a quiet evening with Hungary only causing danger in injury time when Istvan Vituska slipped in at the back post to connect with a free-kick but his acrobatic effort went way off-target.
This pair of friendly games will act as preparation for next September’s UEFA U19 first phase qualifying series, when Ireland travel to Macedonia to play against Holland, Belarus and the hosts. The top two nations from that group of four will advance to the Elite phase of the competition.
IRELAND: Jimmy McKeown (Walsall), Simon Madden (Leeds Utd), John Quigley (Stoke City) – captain, Alan Power (Notts Forest), Darren Dennehy (Everton), Stephen Gleeson (Wolves), Shane Treacy (Arsenal), Adam Rooney (Stoke City), Mark Salmon (Wolves), Andrew Jackson (St. Johnstone).
SUBS: Matthew Cassidy (Bolton Wanderers) and Emeka Onwubiko (St. Kevins Boys) for Treacy and Jackson (both Half-time). Stephen Maher (Unattached) for Salmon (65 mins).
HUNGARY: Bakonyi, Gyomber, Toth, Sipos, Sandor, Vituska, Bolcsfoldi, Kozmor, Kottan, Pinter, Farkas.
Subs: Tamas for Kozmor (ht), Tandari for Kottan (60mins)
REFEREE: Mr. D. Hanney (Dublin).
Assistants: David Jameson, George Mc Williams, Richie Winter |
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