Ireland held by Albania
The Republic of Ireland Under 19s were held to a 1-1 draw by Albania in the UEFA Championship qualifiers on Wednesday afternoon which, almost certainly, ends their hopes of qualifying for this summer’s finals in Northern Ireland.
Needing a win to realistically have any chance of qualifying, Ireland dominated the game but rarely threatened the Albania goal.
Albania took the lead in the 64th minute with what was their first shot on goal when Paul McShane and James Hand failed to deal with a long ball allowing striker Vangel Mile to sneak in and beat Terry Masterson from close range.
Ian Morris equalised for Ireland in the 78th minute with a close range finish and Ireland pushed on looking for the winner with Andy Keogh having a goal disallowed in stoppage time for offside.
Republic of Ireland: Masterson (Millwall); R Keogh (Stoke City), McShane (Manchester United), Gibson (Manchester United), Hand (Huddersfield Town); Cregg (Arsenal), O’Brien (Bolton Wanderers), Foley (Aston Villa); Morris (Ipswich Town), O’Carroll (Celtic), Hayes (Reading).
Subs: A Keogh (Scunthorpe) for O’Carroll (63 mins), Long (Cork City) for Hand (70 mins). |
