Republic of Ireland 1 Mexico 1
Vincent Butler's Irish U16 side kicked-off the annual Gradisca Tournament today with a hard fought 1-1 draw with Mexico. Leicester City's Shane Byrne scored the opening goal for the Irish but Roberto Ramirez cancelled out the opener with a stunning strike one minute later.
The Irish took the lead after only 15 minutes when John O'Sullivan was hauled down outside the box following a clever run through the Mexican defence. Leicester's Shane Byrne stepped up and blasted the ball into the net via a deflection from the Mexican defence.
Mexico were level one minute later through the boot of Roberto Ramirez. Ramirez picked up the ball from 30 yards following a poor defensive clearance from the Irish back-line and Ramirez hammered the ball into the top corner, giving Sean McDermott no chance in goal.
In the group's other game, Serbia and Croatia played out a 1-1 draw also, meaning all teams go into the next games dead-level. Ireland play Serbia tomorrow (Sunday) in Hermagor (17.00 hrs). Their final match of the group pits them against Croatia on Monday, April 27 in Arnoldstein (15.30 hrs)
The teams who finish in the top two of the groups are guaranteed to play two additional games in the semi-finals, play-off or final.
Irish manager, Vincent Butler was happy overall with his team's performance, "Today was a very tough game for our players, the Mexicans like most of the teams here are full time players and their fitness and physique levels are technically very strong. We had a number of excellent chances in the second half and I think we could have nicked a win in the end," said Butler.
"Our main aim of this tournament is to get to the semi-final, we are still on track with the outcome of today's other results so I am happy with that. That being said, the more the week progresses, the more tired our players will become because as of yet, they are not full time professionals unlike the other players at this tournament," he added.
Republic of Ireland
Sean McDermott - Vagg FC
Conor Morrissey - Bohemians
Robert Maloney - St. Joesphs
Michael Baker - Belvedere
Neil Yadolahi - St.Kevins
Shane Byrne - Leicester City
Brian McGroary - Eany Celtic
Carl McHugh - Dungloe Town
Chris Lyons - Belvedere
John O'Sullivan - Belvedere
Adam Pigott - Kingdom Boys
Substitutes
Richard Bryan - Aston Villa
Derrick Williams - Aston Villa
Anthony Forde - Ballingarry
Gary Merritt - Milford Utd (on for Piggott, 56 mins)
Niall Burdon - Stade Rennais
Daniel McGuinness - Crumlin Utd
Daniel Mahon - Belvedere
Under-16 Gradisca Tournament fixtures and results
Saturday, April 25
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Mexico
Kötschach-Mauthen
Sunday, April 26
Republic of Ireland v Serbia
Hermagor
Kick-off:17.00 hrs
Monday, April 27
Republic of Ireland v Croatia
Arnoldstein
Kick-off: 15.30 hrs. |
