Rep. of Ireland U21s 2 - 1 Spain U21s
Credit:
The Republic of Ireland will begin their European Championship qualification campaign in confident mood after overcoming Spain 2-1 at the RSC tonight. Goals from Jay O’ Shea and Alan Judge secured an impressive win for the home side with Ivan Bolado netting Spain’s sole response.
The game endured a scrappy opening as neither side dominated possession in the opening few minutes. The Spanish attempted to settle into their short passing rhythm but found themselves being hustled and harried by a determined Ireland. The first chance of the game however did fall to the visitors. In the 13th minute, a slip from Ireland captain Eddie Nolan on the right touchline allowed Daniel Parejo to slide the ball across the box to Jeffren. Thankfully for Ireland the winger’s first time shot was straight at Shane Redmond.
Spain continued to threaten coming forward but Ireland were beginning to find their feet in the game. Owen Garvan saw a snap shot drift wide of Ruben Peralta’s goal on twenty minutes. Cillian Sheridan was coping admirably in the lone striker’s role. The Motherwell man occupied the Spanish back four and held the ball up well. It was through Sheridan that Ireland earned the free which brought them the first goal in the 39th minute. A rash tackle from Mikel San Jose allowed Garvan to swing a dangerous dead-ball in from the right. The ball was missed by everyone and came straight through to the unsuspecting Peralta. The Barcelona ‘keeper was only able to punch the ball against Kiko and Jay O’ Shea was on hand to finish into the gaping net.
The visitors almost responded immediately when Parejo jinked his way into the Irish box before meeting a last-ditch tackle from Brendan Moloney. Spain seemed eager to respond but Ireland now had something to hold on to. Two minutes later and it was Parejo who threatened again. This time the Real Madrid starlet forced a near post save from Shane Redmond. From the resulting corner San Jose found himself unmarked on the penalty spot but miscued his half-volley, allowing Redmond to gather. Spain came closest to scoring in the final minute of the half. Jeffren slid the ball across the six-yard box and Seamus Coleman’s despairing interception sent the ball past Redmond who reacted brilliantly to claw the ball off the line.
That was to be Redmond’s final action of the game as he was withdrawn at the interval and Stephen Henderson given a chance to impress. The Bristol City man didn’t disappoint. He was forced into action seven minutes into the half when Bolado was allowed time and space in the Irish box and sent Henderson sprawling to his left. Spain missed another good chance two minutes later when Jeffren found Parejo who should have done better with his shot from the edge of the area. Ireland doubled their lead, slightly against the run of play, in the 57th minute.
O’Shea did superbly to beat two challenges before releasing Sheridan down the left flank; his low cross was dummied by Garvan to allow Judge to finish from close range. The capacity crowd at the RSC was loving every second of this Irish performance.
Spain were soon back in the game however when a shot from distance fell kindly to Bolado on the six-yard box. The striker shifted the ball to his right before finishing low into the far corner of Henderson’s net. The game lost some of its edge in the remaining minutes as both sides made full use of their benches. The last decent chance of the game fell to the visitors when Edu rose unchallenged to head into the ground; however the ball went the wrong side of Henderson’s post.
The final whistle confirmed an excellent, confidence boosting result for Ireland. They face Turkey in their first qualification game in Cork on Tuesday and Don Givens will be hoping for a display similar to the one witnessed in Waterford tonight.
Attendance: 3,400
The game endured a scrappy opening as neither side dominated possession in the opening few minutes. The Spanish attempted to settle into their short passing rhythm but found themselves being hustled and harried by a determined Ireland. The first chance of the game however did fall to the visitors. In the 13th minute, a slip from Ireland captain Eddie Nolan on the right touchline allowed Daniel Parejo to slide the ball across the box to Jeffren. Thankfully for Ireland the winger’s first time shot was straight at Shane Redmond.
Spain continued to threaten coming forward but Ireland were beginning to find their feet in the game. Owen Garvan saw a snap shot drift wide of Ruben Peralta’s goal on twenty minutes. Cillian Sheridan was coping admirably in the lone striker’s role. The Motherwell man occupied the Spanish back four and held the ball up well. It was through Sheridan that Ireland earned the free which brought them the first goal in the 39th minute. A rash tackle from Mikel San Jose allowed Garvan to swing a dangerous dead-ball in from the right. The ball was missed by everyone and came straight through to the unsuspecting Peralta. The Barcelona ‘keeper was only able to punch the ball against Kiko and Jay O’ Shea was on hand to finish into the gaping net.
The visitors almost responded immediately when Parejo jinked his way into the Irish box before meeting a last-ditch tackle from Brendan Moloney. Spain seemed eager to respond but Ireland now had something to hold on to. Two minutes later and it was Parejo who threatened again. This time the Real Madrid starlet forced a near post save from Shane Redmond. From the resulting corner San Jose found himself unmarked on the penalty spot but miscued his half-volley, allowing Redmond to gather. Spain came closest to scoring in the final minute of the half. Jeffren slid the ball across the six-yard box and Seamus Coleman’s despairing interception sent the ball past Redmond who reacted brilliantly to claw the ball off the line.
That was to be Redmond’s final action of the game as he was withdrawn at the interval and Stephen Henderson given a chance to impress. The Bristol City man didn’t disappoint. He was forced into action seven minutes into the half when Bolado was allowed time and space in the Irish box and sent Henderson sprawling to his left. Spain missed another good chance two minutes later when Jeffren found Parejo who should have done better with his shot from the edge of the area. Ireland doubled their lead, slightly against the run of play, in the 57th minute.
O’Shea did superbly to beat two challenges before releasing Sheridan down the left flank; his low cross was dummied by Garvan to allow Judge to finish from close range. The capacity crowd at the RSC was loving every second of this Irish performance.
Spain were soon back in the game however when a shot from distance fell kindly to Bolado on the six-yard box. The striker shifted the ball to his right before finishing low into the far corner of Henderson’s net. The game lost some of its edge in the remaining minutes as both sides made full use of their benches. The last decent chance of the game fell to the visitors when Edu rose unchallenged to head into the ground; however the ball went the wrong side of Henderson’s post.
The final whistle confirmed an excellent, confidence boosting result for Ireland. They face Turkey in their first qualification game in Cork on Tuesday and Don Givens will be hoping for a display similar to the one witnessed in Waterford tonight.
Attendance: 3,400
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile