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This week was a busy week for SKB players (both current & former) who were in action for Irish International teams at Under 17 18 and 19.
Croatia 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Tom Mohan’s side with six SKB players (both current & former) in the squad lost 4-3 when the sides met on Tuesday after battling back from 4-0 down and once again they needed to come from behind after conceding in the fifth minute.
Four minutes into the second half the lively Jamie Aherne was taken down in the penalty area and midfielder Jamie Gray (SKB) stepped up to convert from the spot-kick.
Ireland continued to play at a decent tempo and substitute Trevor Clarke (ex SKB) had a chance to grab the winner in the 60th minute but the Croats cleared and after the ball went down the opposite end of the pitch they won a corner-kick and from there forced home the ball after a scramble.
Clarke had another opportunity to level matters but ultimately was forced off injured in the dying minutes in an unusual incident in the home penalty area that somehow saw a free-kick awarded to the home side.
“It was disappointing for the lads not to get something out of the game because they deserved something for their efforts. The incident in the last minute of the game summed things up as Trevor Clarke was taken down in the box and is taken to hospital for an x-ray but the referee gives a free out,” said Mohan.
“Croatia have great attacking players but we limited their chances. I’m just disappointed that once again we conceded two poor goals.
“The positive is that we got a really good look at a lot of players this week against quality opposition and that’s what it was about. We have food for thought now ahead of the qualifiers next month.
“I feel we’ll go into those games in Poland knowing that we’ve had really good preparation.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Tom McDermott, Luke Wade-Slater (SKB), JJ Lunney, Robbie McCourt (exSKB), Darragh Leahy (exSKB), Brandon Payne, Conor Levingston, Jesse Stafford-Lacey (SKB), Zach Elbouzedi, Jamie Gray (SKB), Jamie Aherne.
Subs: Shane Hanney for McCourt 41 mins; Conor Ronan for Payne 41; Trevor Clarke (ex SKB) for Elbouzedi 41; Darragh Gibbons for Levingston 65.
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Tuesday, February 24
U17 International Friendly
Croatia 4-3 Republic of Ireland, Zagreb
Thursday, February 26
U17 International Friendly
Croatia 2-1 Republic of Ireland, Zagreb
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THE Republic of Ireland U19 side with ex SKB players Sean Heeney and Eoin Stokes in the squad play Azerbaijan in two games this week.
Paul Doolin’s side ran out comfortable 6-0 winners at Tallaght Stadium when the sides met on Wednesday night with Ryan Manning and Jamie McGrath scoring twice each while Dessie Hutchinson and Jack Hallahan also found the net.
Both sides are preparing for next months’ UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round and Doolin was very pleased with the attacking display put on by his troops.
“We’ve a few new players that we were having a look at and it’s a change of team again as we never give the impression to any of the squads we have that there is a first XI and a second XI. We want to keep it balanced,” he said.
“I felt that some of the goals we scored were outstanding – Jamie McGrath’s chip to make it 3-0, Jack Hallahan finished off a great move and Ryan Manning also scored a great goal.
“I’d never be disrespectful to Azerbaijan – they qualified for the Elite Phase of the UEFA U19 Qualifiers and have beaten Hungary and Slovenia to qualify. They’ve just back from Finland and have a bit of time together.
“Some of our play was great – absolutely outstanding and defensively it was good conceding no goals. Having said that there are one or two things we can improve upon for the qualifiers.
Doolin wants more of the same in Fridays game built on getting a rapid start to the game when they put the Azeri defence under pressure from the off.
“We’ll get back and look to see about putting things right. We’ll look for a good display and we always look for a good performance from the players. Hopefully the rest looks after itself,” said the Irish Head Coach.
“No matter who it is we try to start well. Whether it was Holland here, Sweden away or Switzerland in the qualifiers, we always try to be up and press. If we have the ball we can attack and don’t have to go back.
“In fairness you can’t always go forward. There were spells on Wednesday where they had a chance and Harry Doherty made a good save. All in all I’m happy and looking forward to Friday.”
Republic of Ireland U19:
Liam Bossin (Anderlecht)
Harry Doherty (Brighton)
Kevin Toner (Aston Villa)
Billy Murphy (Bristol City)
Fiacre Kelleher (Celtic)
Timmy Murphy (Cork City)
Harry Charsley (Everton)
Noe Baba (Fulham)
Eoghan Stokes (Leeds United)
Ross Mann (Limerick)
Cieron Keane (Notts County)
Ryan Manning (QPR)
Sean Heaney (Shamrock Rovers)
Dessie Hutchinson (Brighton)
Joel Coustrain (Sheffield United)
Jamie McGrath (St Patrick's Athletic)
Jack Hallahan (West Bromwich Albion)
Josh Cullen (West Ham United)
Liam Kinsella (Walsall)
Val Feeney (Limerick)
Ryan Goldsmith (Cobh Ramblers)
FIXTURES
U19 International Friendlies
Wednesday, February 25
Republic of Ireland 6-0 Azerbaijan, Tallaght Stadium
Friday, February 27
Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan, Tallaght Stadium
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Our current Under 18 Super players Dean Casey and Paul McMahon made their their international debuts this week gaining caps in two games away against Wales in an Irish International squad consisting only of home based players managed by Paul Osam.
Ireland won the first game 1-0 at the New Bridge Meadow Stadium in Haverfordwest on Monday last while the other game ended 1-1 on Tuesday evening at the Genquip Stadium in Port Talbot with Ireland coming from behind to gain a deserved draw.
