Ireland 4 Norway 1
The Republic of Ireland Under 15s produced an outstanding display to beat Norway 4-1 in their opening game at an invitational tournament in Prague.
Jason Donohue’s side bagged four first-half goals to take control of the tie and will go into Thursday’s deciding game against the Czech Republic hosts, who beat the Norwegians 4-3 last Sunday.
Seamus Keogh had Ireland’s first attempt on goal in the 10th minute but it was not long before Ireland went 1-0 up through Sean Kennedy when he found the net with a low strike in the 13th minute. Keogh had a header saved two minutes later before Kennedy shot narrowly wide in the 18th minute. Norway had an attempt on goal in the 20th minute when Lars Christian Moudestad had a shot from distance held by Ireland keeper Jimmy Corcoran. Kennedy added a second in the 25th minute when he was played through by Matthew Everitt and poked past the advancing keeper.
Ronan McKinley increased the Irish lead in the 36th minute when he dispossessed keeper Vegard Storsve and turned the ball home into an empty net. Three minutes later Everitt marked his debut with a goal after McKinley’s initial effort came back off the Norwegian crossbar. Everitt had another effort saved five minutes into the second half then Irish keeper Corcoran had a couple of stops before Simon Bakken grabbed a consolation goal with a low strike in the last minute.
"Our first half performance was exceptionally good. We played really well and scored at good times. We had a good defensive shape and scored some good goals," said Ireland Head Coach Jason Donohue. "The Norwegian coach couldn't believe how well we played and said it was like men against boys at times in the first half which is a great compliment to the players. "In the second half, they pressed us really well and forced us to go a bit longer. We conceded in injury time and it shows the character of the lads how disappointed they were to concede that goal. "We looked a threat every time we went forward in the first half. Matt Everitt had an exceptional debut. Sean Kennedy and Ronan McKinley also produced some excellent moments. "I’m extremely pleased for the boys to get a win after a couple of draws. They have been improving and the hard work is paying off.
"They looked a really good team today and now it'll be a different test against the Czechs who'll have had four days rest by the time Thursday game comes around."
Republic of Ireland: Corcoran; Dunne (O’Callaghan 71), Sobowale, Funge, Holt; Healy (McEvoy 62), Keogh, McKinley (Parrott 62); Kennedy (Guirgi 71), Everitt (Furlong 65), Okoflex.
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Czech Republic 4 Ireland 2
The Republic of Ireland Under 15 side completed their campaign with a 4-2 loss to Czech Republic in a thrilling encounter in the Czech town of Brozany nad OhÅ™í.
Jason Donohue’s side beat Norway 4-1 in their opening game in the triangular tournament on Tuesday and the extra couple of days rest showed for the hosts as they got off to a lightening start.
Irish keeper Bazunu was tested in the third minute from a shot from distance but in the tenth minute the Czechs took the lead when Pavel Hural headed home after an initial effort hit the Irish crossbar. Troy Parrott was unlucky not to head Ireland level just 60 seconds later after a testing cross from Josh Guirgi. The home side went 2-0 up in the 13th minute when Javier Neruda slipped the ball home after good work by Vojtech Wojatskche in the build-up. Ireland responded well when Cian Kelly turned the ball past keeper Ondrej Mastny after Parrott hit the Czech post with a free-kick.
Parrott then levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after he was fouled for the spot-kick. In the 32nd minute Ireland were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when Parrott went on a great run and sent in a cross that Ronan McKinley just failed to connect with. Two minutes later Armstrong Okoflex was unfortunate to shoot narrowly wide then Guirgi and Parrott were both denied by the Czech keeper before the break. Unfortunately for the Irish they went behind once more two minutes into the second half when Timofej Barkof headed home and it was 4-2 six minutes later when Filip Gedeon found the net.
“We started off looking very leggy and found ourselves 2-0 down quickly. We knew the Czechs were a threat going forward as they have scored 14 goals in their last three games,” said Donohue.
“We adjusted our game plan midway the first half and dominated to get back to 2-2 and missed chances to go ahead. Unfortunately two errors early in the second half left us chasing the game again but the Czechs were able to hold out.
“With the Czech playing Sunday they had two extra recovery days which proved to be a major factor. “But our group has progressed well all season and with this as our last event and this week included four new debuts and all players started a game each means Paul Osam has plenty of options for next season.
“Can I finish by thanking all the players, staff, the players’ clubs and leagues for their efforts and assistance throughout the year as I feel it has been a very positive experience for all parties.”
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu; Furlong (Holt 41), Kelly, Sobowale, McEvoy (Funge 71); Parrott, McKinley (Healy 61), Okoflex (Kennedy 41), Keogh, O’Callaghan (Dunne 41), Guirgi.