Republic of Ireland U-16 1-1 Azerbaijan U-16
Gary O Neill 60
Kingdom Boys striker Gary O Neill maintained his prolific international goalscoring record by netting the equaliser against for the Republic of Ireland against Azerbaijan today (Monday) at the Turkey Under-16 tournament in Kusadasi.
Ireland got a shock in their opening game of the tournament by slipping behind to a third minute Azerbaijan goal.However, they soon settled and controlled possession.
O Neill came close to getting Ireland back on terms with a bullet-like header on 26 minutes which rebounded off the crossbar.
But his stellar display was eventually rewarded with a goal on the hour. An indirect free-kick awarded against the Azerbaijan goalkeeper for time-wasting was promptly capitalised upon as Jack Grealishs lay-off was blasted home from ten yards by O Neill through the wall.
Two good chances late in the game for O Neill and substitute Jonathan Leddy were not finished off but Ireland could reflect on a deserved draw.
They play their second game tomorrow (Tuesday) against the Turkey European Regions team (1pm local time).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Grimes (Ringmahon Rovers), Long (Cherry Orchard), Dan O Reilly (Cherry Orchard), McFadden (Swilly Rovers), Coyne (Cherry Orchard); McGlade (Shelbourne), O Connor (Curracloe), Mulroney (Crumlin United), Grealish (Aston Villa); Walsh (Shelbourne), O Neill (Kingdom Boys).
Substitutions: Leddy (Cavan Shamrocks) for O Connor, Crowe (Stella Maris) for Mulroney (both 59 mins), O Driscoll (Skibbereen) for Grealish, Lewis (Aston Villa) for Coyne (both 70 mins). |
