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14.04.2011 at 11:00 O Shea Park Blarney
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Attendance: |
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Ireland Under 16 |
1 - 0
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Belgium
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Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork). |
Friendly / *-match |
Under-16 Friendly Internationals
Republic of Ireland A 1-0 Belgium A
Ryan O Reilly 73
The Republic of Ireland Under-16 side gained a measure of revenge for Tuesday nights defeat at Turners Cross when they beat Belgium by 1-0 in their "A" friendly international at O Shea Park in Blarney today (Thursday).
The match-winning goal arrived just seven minutes from time from a set piece as Jonathan Leddys corner kick was powerfully headed to the net by Irish centre-half Ryan O Reilly from Ballyjamesduff.
Ireland had the better of a low key affair and deserved to win the opening tie in this double header at the home of Blarney United AFC.
Ireland started brightly with Leddy having a shot saved in the opening minutes and then Gary O Neills corner was headed goalwards by Sam Byrne but saved by Benny Rogiest.
Belgiums first sight of goal had Romain Quenelle firing over from Tom Parquets cross and then Yannick Reuten blazed high and wide as a close fought, cagey game developed.
O Neills chip drifted wide and winger Dylan McGlade had a shot saved as half-time approached.
Ireland continued to seek out a goal as Aston Villas Bradley Lewis tried his luck from a free that Rogiest saved easily before Parquet at the other end had an effort stopped by Cherry Orchards Shane Fagan early in the second half.
Aston Villas Jack Grealish made a big impression when he came on to play on the left wing and suddenly Ireland were a far more potent threat in attack.
Grealish crossed for Sam Byrne on 56 minutes but the ball flew over from six yards before Dylan Hayes had a chance but fired straight at Belgian ‘keeper Rogiest.
Grealish was the provider again when he picked out O Neill but the Kingdom Boys player shot over the crossbar.
The long-awaited breakthrough came seven minutes from time after sustained Ireland pressure as centre-back O Reilly rose in the penalty area to head in Leddys 73rd minute corner kick.
The victory was no more than the Irish boys deserved after a brave, courageous performance.
Rep of Ireland A: Fagan (Cherry Orchard); Hayes (St. Josephs), Lewis (Aston Villa), R. O Reilly (Ballyjamesduff), Coyne (Cherry Orchard); McGlade (Shelbourne), Leddy (Cavan Shamrocks), Mulroney (Crumlin Utd), Percil (Tottenham); O Neill (Kingdom Boys), Byrne (St. Josephs).
Subs: Mullaney (Portlaoise) for Hayes, McFadden (Swilly Rovers) for Mulroney, Grealish (Aston Villa) for Percil (all 55 mins), Nsay (Cherry Orchard) for Leddy, O Connor (Curracloe Utd) for O Neill (both 74 mins).
Belgium A : Rogiest; Locigno, van der Ackerveken (capt), Verstichelen, Lopez; Parquet, Raeymaekers, Rueten, Quenelle; Sallaets, Cino.
Subs: Da Silva for Cino (47 mins), Ickhaus for Raeymaekers (60 mins).
Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork). |
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