UEFA Under-17 Championships, First Phase Qualifier Full-time score
Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Denmark Doran 30 Connolly 38
Ireland surged into a commanding half-time lead against Denmark tonight courtesy of a goal each in the space of eight minutes by Aaron Doran and Mark Connolly.
Irish manager Sean McCaffrey named an unchanged starting team from the side that defeated Ukraine 3-1 in their first match on Friday at Terryland Park.
Qualification into the second, Elite phase of the UEFA Under-17 Championship was sealed tonight and Ireland go through as group winners because, with six points, they cannot be caught in the table.
The Irish are hosting the four-nation mini-group which also involves Denmark, Slovenia and Ukraine. Denmark drew 1-1 with Slovenia in the opening game of the group on Friday and today’s match between Slovenia and Ukraine also ended 1-1. Ireland went into tonight’s match top of the group following their win on Friday.
The two teams in the group who finish first and second advance to the next stage while third place could also mean progression depending on the outcome of the other twelve groups.
Republic of Ireland Under-17 Team: Gerard Hanley – Salthill Devon Padraig Orsmby – Crumlin United John Dunleavy – Wolverhampton Wanderers Mark Connolly – Wolverhampton Wanderers Gavin Gunning – Blackburn Rovers Richard Towell – Celtic Aaron Doran – Blackburn Rovers Conor Hourihane – Sunderland Greg Cunningham – Manchester City Conor Clifford – Chelsea (Captain) Paul Murphy – Ipswich Town Substitutes: Gavin Holohan – Cherry Orchard Ronan Forde - Salthill Devon Niall Byrne - Shelbourne John Sullivan – Crumlin Utd Karl Sheppard – Everton David Heagney – Huddersfield Town Mark Power - Aston Villa |