Ireland defeated Malta yesterday in Dalymount Park in an under 18 friendly match.
Malta accommodated the Irish team on their way home from the Milk Cup where they had participated last week in preparation for their upcoming European Championships first round where they have been drawn against Italy, Serbia & Montenegro and Andorra.
The game gave an opportunity to home based players to figure on the International stage. The complete Irish team currently play with schoolboy and eircom league clubs. The game gave the watching manager Sean Mc Caffrey the opportunity to run the rule over the players ahead of next season’s UEFA Under-19 qualifying campaign.
18 players didn’t disappoint and the Republic controlled the game throughout, holding a 2-1 lead at half-time and adding a third goal early in the second half.
Emeka Onwubiko provided the opening goal for the Republic after nine minutes when he slotted home from the right side of the penalty area a neat interchange between Stephen Lawless and Daniel Corcoran set up the chance.
Emeka Onwubiko was the star of the show with his pace and direct running causing the Malta defenders problems all night. Emeka was unlucky not to score after 18 minutes when his shot went agonisingly across the goal with the Malta keeper beaten.
Daniel Corcoran came close to doubling that lead soon after when his header rebounded off the post but Malta punished slack Irish defending just past the half hour mark when Miguel Ciantat slotted home from close range.
The Republic continued to create scoring chances and David Connolly fired them back in the lead eight minutes later when he stabbed the ball home at the back post following Alan Clarke’s deep free-kick from the right side.
The second half saw Ireland introduce their seven substitutes but that didn’t disrupt their dominance. Striker Daniel Corcoran got the goal his hard-working display deserved nine minutes after the break when he buried a low shot past Maltese ‘keeper Vella from ten yards.
IRELAND:
Ger Barron (Geraldines), Alan Clarke (Belvedere), Sean Byrne (Belvedere),
Derek Foran (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Noel Haverty (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Stephen Lawless (Cherry Orchard), Kieran O`Reilly (Lourdes Celtic), Garry O`Toole (Wembley Rovers), Emeka Onwubiko (St. Kevin’s Boys), Daniel Corcoran (Belvedere), David Connolly (Belvedere).
Subs: Kevin O’Brien (Douglas Hall) for Barron, Cian McBrien (Salthill Devon) for O’Reilly & Tom King (Castlebar Celtic) for Clarke – All half-time.
Ian Bermingham (Lourdes Celtic) for Byrne, Jamie Duff (St. Josephs Boys) for Connolly, David Kelly (Belvedere) for Haverty & Conor Murtagh Drogheda Boys for Foran (All 60 mins). |
