Ireland v Germany- Post-match reaction
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After Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Germany at Turner’s Cross last night, Don Givens was more than happy with his side’s performance.
“Overall I’m happy. I thought the first half performance was very good and there were also some good individual performances. We had a less experienced team than them.”
Givens was particularly impressed with the debutants saying: "Brendan Moloney had a tough debut at full back as he was up against their best player, but he gave us options going forward. David Meyler was excellent; he was strong in midfield when we needed someone to put a foot in."
Despite Liam Brady not making it down to the game last night, as he had originally planned, the Trapattoni and co were watching from Portmarnock.
"I had a text immediately after the game from them, saying that they had seen the game and Giovanni was impressed. The German coach was very impressed with us as well, he said we were very good for such a young team.” said the under-21 boss.
The Irish begin qualification for the 2011 European Championships with a game against Turkey at the ‘Cross next month and Givens is believes his team can progress despite it being tough.
"Qualifying is a possibility; we're in a tough group and for a small nation like us to qualify for the finals is bloody difficult. We have to top the group and then play home and away against another group winner, so it's a tough ask.”
One of the debutants last night was local boy Dave Meyler. The midfielder has gone from playing schoolboy’s football in Cork to being on the fringes of the Sunderland team in less than two years and was delighted with his performance at the ground he made his Cork City and U-19 debut’s.
“I really enjoyed the experience. I am happy and can’t complain at all. It was a fast enough game but I have played a lot with Sunderland’s reserves at this stage.” said Meyler, who is now a regular in the reserves at the Stadium of Light.
“The standard was higher here tonight but the tempo is on par with reserve team football. Don told me to just go out and enjoy it and I think I done reasonably well.”
“Overall I’m happy. I thought the first half performance was very good and there were also some good individual performances. We had a less experienced team than them.”
Givens was particularly impressed with the debutants saying: "Brendan Moloney had a tough debut at full back as he was up against their best player, but he gave us options going forward. David Meyler was excellent; he was strong in midfield when we needed someone to put a foot in."
Despite Liam Brady not making it down to the game last night, as he had originally planned, the Trapattoni and co were watching from Portmarnock.
"I had a text immediately after the game from them, saying that they had seen the game and Giovanni was impressed. The German coach was very impressed with us as well, he said we were very good for such a young team.” said the under-21 boss.
The Irish begin qualification for the 2011 European Championships with a game against Turkey at the ‘Cross next month and Givens is believes his team can progress despite it being tough.
"Qualifying is a possibility; we're in a tough group and for a small nation like us to qualify for the finals is bloody difficult. We have to top the group and then play home and away against another group winner, so it's a tough ask.”
One of the debutants last night was local boy Dave Meyler. The midfielder has gone from playing schoolboy’s football in Cork to being on the fringes of the Sunderland team in less than two years and was delighted with his performance at the ground he made his Cork City and U-19 debut’s.
“I really enjoyed the experience. I am happy and can’t complain at all. It was a fast enough game but I have played a lot with Sunderland’s reserves at this stage.” said Meyler, who is now a regular in the reserves at the Stadium of Light.
“The standard was higher here tonight but the tempo is on par with reserve team football. Don told me to just go out and enjoy it and I think I done reasonably well.”
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile