Ireland U-17s Romania U-17s (scores inside)

tetsujin1979

On a particularly wet and windy Dalymount pitch, the Irish youths showed their class over the course of the game to run out strong winners in front of a crowd of about 3,000 - including the manager of the senior side.
But it wasn't all plain sailing for the boys in green, their Romanian counterparts had the measure of them for the majority of the first half with the keeper Shane Redmond called into service on more than one occasion to keep his team in it, while his opposite number was having trouble keeping warm, such was the lack of exercise he was getting! Ireland found the going very tough against a strong, organised, and skillful Romanian side, often out fought and out played in the centre of the park, with only the left full, captain Lorcan Fitzgerald and the left winger Donal McDermott seemingly capable of making forays into the opposition territory, while Crystal Palace youngster Tom Lyons ploughed a lonely furrow up front, feeding on scraps and forced to come deep to aid his teammates. Half time came with Ireland starting to retain possession but still not looking likely winners.
But, as the old saying goes, it is a game of two halves, and this most certainly was. Where previously there was hesitancy, suddenly there was confidence, and the iron curtain of Romania's defence and midfield suddenly started showing chinks of light for Ireland's playmakers to thread balls through to their forward line. The first goal was a scrappy affair, the ball was crossed in from the left by Sheridan, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, bounced around the area, and finally came to Manchester United striker Christy Fagan who lashed home the opener.
From the restart Romania tried to exert their earlier superiority, but their missed chances from the first half came back to haunt them as Graham Carey fired in from easily 40 yards in a goal somewhat reminiscent of Pedro Mendes' infamous goal that never was against Manchester United, the Celtic youngster's shot hitting the unfortunate Romanian keeper on the arm before bouncing over his shoulder and into the net.
From here on in it was all Ireland as the Romanians seem to dissolve before the green assault and the third goal that would surely come. A well worked cross into the area by McDermott was met well by Fagan to claim his second goal and the third of the night, a looping header over the centre half and into the far corner of the net.
Manchester City's young winger Donal McDermott completed the rout with a well taken final strike. Having moved off the wing and into the left hand side of central midfield, he raced free of the Romanian back line, and fired a shot beyond the advancing keeper, despite temporarily losing control of the ball and getting it caught under his boots.
At this point the Irish were shooting for fun, with several players attempting to recreate their midfielder's strike, but it was not to be as play wound down and the referee blew up to end the game.

A lesson learned from the first half, and the performance of the second bodes well for the rest of the qualifiers, in particular the performance of captain Lorcan Fitzgerald when the team were under the kosh thoughout most of the first half showed remarkable maturity and skill. With striker Dixon still to return, this squad has plenty of potential and bides well for the future.

Team:
Redmond, Callaghan, Donoghue, Fitzgerald, Spillane, Cahillane, Carey, McDermott, Daly, Lyons, Fagan

Subs:
Arter for Daly - half time
Sheridan for Lyons - 59 minutes
Breen for Cahillane - 72 minutes

Goals:
Fagan (2), Carey, McDermott

I'd like to thank the kind lady who provided me with a copy of the teamsheet during the game.

cournioni

Is that Killian Sheridan? If it is, he is some player...

tetsujin1979

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Is that Killian Sheridan? If it is, he is some player...

Yep, it was Killian, the crowd erupted when he came on.

cournioni

Used to go to school with him, even though he was years younger than everyone else he was still running rings around everyone and smashing in goals. He has some strike on him.

eirebhoy

Excellent result. It'll be an achievement in itself if this team can qualify for the Finals as it's not an easy task. Thankfully they have home advantage for this elite stage. Man Utd's Fagan has already scored for the reserves this season. It's very rare a 1st year apprentice even plays a game for the reserves.

I'll try and make it to at least 1 of the 2 matches left in the group. Impressive crowd for an U17 match.

andrewie

eirebhoy wrote:

It's very rare a 1st year apprentice even plays a game for the reserves.

Not this season. 17 members of United's reserve team is out on loan this season so at least 4 youth players play every match.