Belgium U16 (A)....1-0 Republic Ireland (B) U16
A new-look Ireland Under-16 B squad performed well on Tuesday afternoon but not enough to avoid losing narrowly to Belgium s A side.
Hesitancy in the Irish defence played a part in the only goal of the match as a mix-up between goalkeeper Ian Lawlor and Pierce Sweeney was punished with a neat finish.
Ireland had to be alert to counteract the flow of attacks from a Belgium side that had drawn their last game against England and lost narrowly to France.
That they did in the final stage to keep their task in the second half to the minimum.
Adam Evans was presented with Irelands nearest opening to find an equaliser but the Belgium goalkeeper advanced quickly to thwart the effort after the Belvedere youngster broke free on goal.
Ireland coach Darren Murray said: I was delighted with the work-rate and defensive discipline shown in our performance and we restricted them to very few chances.
"This was always going to be a test for our lads and they dealt with the threat of Belgium extremely well.
"We could have added more penetration to our game in attack but we went for it in the second half looking for that equaliser."
REP OF IRELAND U16: Ian Lawlor (Home Farm); Sean Kavanagh (Belvedere), Pierce Sweeney (Belvedere), Darragh Murphy (Innishvilla), John Kavanagh (Ringmahon Rangers): John McKeown (Belvedere), Shane McGinty (Kildrum Tigers), Darren O Donoghue (St.
Francis); Emmet Cotter (Midleton), Jack Nardiello (Leicester City), Adam Evans (Belvedere).
Substitutions: Conor Pepper (Portmarnock) for McGinty, Brian Lenihan (College Corinthians) for O Donoghue (both h/t), Mark Timlin (Buncrana Hearts) for Nardiello (55 mins), David Graydon (Cherry Orchard) for McKeown, Glen Daly (Malahide United) for Sean Kavanagh (both 70 mins).
Under-16 Friendly Internationals:
Tuesday, April 27
Belgium A 3-4 Republic of Ireland b
Maasmechelen - 6.00pm [local time]
Belgium A 1-0 Republic of Ireland B
Maasmechelen - 8.00pm [local time]
Thursday, April 29
Belgium A v Republic of Ireland A
Tongeren 11.00am [local time]
Belgium B v Republic of Ireland B
Tongeren 1.00pm [local time]. |
