Rep of Ireland 0-1 Slovenia
A largely experimental Irish under-19 squad lost their unbeaten record for the season when going down narrowly to their Slovenian counterparts in the second friendly between the sides in three days at Dalymount Park on Wednesday night.
Manager Sean McCaffrey, gearing up his preparations for the forthcoming Uefa under-19 championships second qualification phase, chose to run the rule over several more of his fringe players after watching an already understrength side ease to a 2-0 victory over the same opposition on Monday evening.
And while the Irish youngsters acquitted themselves well, they were downed by a deflected free kick from Slovenia’s FC Dravograd starlet Marko Krajcer.
Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Robert Elliott made his under-19 debut, while Andrew Cousins of Leeds United and Adrian Harper of Sheffield United starting in midfield.
Derby County youngster David Cassidy, the unfortunate Irish player to deflect the winning goal past Elliott, came close to atoning, while a free kick from Leeds United central defender Derek Tyrrell was tipped onto the post by Slovenia keeper Dadek Prsa and the visiting netminder was also equal to efforts from Wolves forward Gary Mulligan and Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Foley-Sheridan.
Despite the defeat, it was an encouraging exercise for McCaffrey’s charges, and he can look forward to the forthcoming qualification competition in confident mood.
Several of the age group’s more high-profile players, such as Manchester City’s Willo Flood and Karl Bermingham, Mark Yeates of Spurs, Leeds United’s Henry McStay, Fulham midfielder Michael Timlin and Mark Quigley of Millwall, are all expected to be back in situ when Ireland face Norway, Serbia/Montenegro and mini-tournament hosts Belgium in the Euro qualifiers in May.
Rep of Ireland under-19: Elliott (Charlton Athletic), Flynn (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lyng (Preston North End), Tyrell (Leeds United), McShane (Manchester United), Cousins (Leeds United), Harper (Sheffield United), O’Connor (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Foley (Aston Villa), Mulligan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Cassidy (Derby County). Subs: O’Donovan (Coventry City) for Cassidy, O’Brien (Newcastle United) for O’Connor (both 60 mins), Yazdani (Coventry City) for Cousins, Ward (Bohemians) for Lyng (both 75). |
