DENMARK 3-1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The Republic of Ireland Under-16 side were punished for not taking their chances as home side Denmark recorded their second victory of the week over the Irish.
On the back of Tuesday's 4-1 defeat, Ireland had the opportunity of bouncing back in this second part of a double-header. Manager John Morling was pleased with the performance of his charges but disappointed with the manner of conceding some of the goals and their failure to put away chances at key stages of the match.
It was Ireland who moved the ball better in the opening exchanges and carved out a few openings. Kealon Dillon fired in a volley that the Danish goalkeeper parried away and Jack Nardiello smashed a rebound over the bar from close range after Ryan Coombes saw his header cleared off the goal-line.
Those missed chances would cost Ireland as they conceded a goal against the run of play on 25 minutes.
Ireland continued to enjoy the advantage in possession stakes during the early part of the second half but the finishing touch eluded them.
15 minutes after the restart, Denmark showed their clinical edge by completing another flowing move for their second goal.
That sparked a revival by Ireland who pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Michael Drennan fed Kealon Dillon a pass inside the box and the referee had no option but to award a penalty when the Belvedere midfielder was dragged down.
Drennan, of Evergreen FC in Kilkenny, converted the spot-kick to make it 2-1 and give Ireland a fighting chance with still 20 minutes remaining.
The next goal of the game was going to be crucial and it went the way of the host nation, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Ireland full-back Mark Horgan attempted to clear from a cross but his header deflected off a Denmark header beyond the stranded Ian Lawlor in the Irish goal.
Ireland manager John Morling felt his team got the test they needed from the Danes over the matches. He said: "Denmark are the best team we've played this season and didn't pass up many chances in either game.
"Finishing was the main difference between the sides. We created more chances than Denmark in today's game but still end up getting beaten.
"However, we set out at the start of this week to improve our possession play and that was a success. There's still work to be done but if we can retain the ball well and create chances, I'm sure the finishing will improve."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Ian Lawlor (Home Farm); Colm Horgan (Salthill Devon), Luke Gallagher (Cherry Orchard), Joe O'Brien (Salthill Devon), Eoin Hyland (Belvedere); Robert Pearson (St. Kevin's Boys), Brandon Miele (Cherry Orchard), Kealan Dillon (Belvedere), Michael Drennan (Evergreen); Jack Nardiello (Leicester City), Ryan Coombes (Cherry Orchard).
Substitutions: Carel TioFack (Ballincollig) for Nardiello (50 mins), Sami Ade Osobe (Glenmuir) for Coombes (60 mins), Kenny McEvoy (Villa) for Miele (75 mins), Shane Griffin (Carrigaline) for Hyland (75 mins). |
