Tom O’Connor’s U16 side played the first of three matches today at the UEFA U16 Development Tournament in Magglingen, Switzerland, losing out on penalties to a strong Austrian team after a 2-2 draw thanks to a Conor Davis equaliser in the last the minute of the game.
The team started well but gave away a free kick 15 minutes into the game and Austrian Captain, Sandi Lovric swept a speculative shot across goal to make it 1-0.
Ireland rallied and Jesse Stafford Lacey of St Brendan’s Park in Kerry drew level from short range after getting on the end of a well worked free kick, headed back down across goal for Stafford Lacey by Conor Masterson.
A minute before half time, Austrian Captain Lovric made it a brace when he cut in from the right to send a powerful shot into the top corner past Home Farm’s Eric Donnelly.
Ireland came out strongly in the second half, dominating possession and their efforts finally paid off in the last minute when a smart ball from Stephen Kinsella was picked up thanks to a diagonal run from Conor Davis who shot past Lukas Fila to bring the match level at 2-2.
Under tournament rules, the game went straight to penalties, but Austria scored all four as Conor Masterson sent his effort over the bar, Anthony Scully of West Ham scored low into the corner and Josh Barrett of Reading was unfortunate to have his effort saved by Fila.
Speaking after the match, Ireland U16 Head Coach, Tom O’Connor said,
“I was very pleased with the performance. We kept going right to the end and the draw was well earned. We face Switzerland tomorrow and Croatia on Friday so the matches will provide valuable experience for the lads at international level.” |
