Republic of Ireland Under-18s put seven past Malta
A good day for Colin O'Brien's Ireland side Credit: Al Robinson (ETPhotos)
The Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-18 side have defeated Malta 7-1 in a friendly at Hibernians Stadium in Paola.
Manager Colin O’Brien rang the changes after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against the same opposition, with only Oisin Gallagher of Lincoln City retaining his spot.
A hat-trick for Cork City’s Mark O’Mahony and one each from Shamrock Rovers’ Michael Leddy, Shelbourne man Jad Hakiki, St. Patrick’s Athletics’ Tom Lonergan and Galway United’s Alex Murphy comfortably saw off the home side.
O’Mahony opened the scoring on the 10th minute with a smart finish into the bottom corner before Leddy headed home shortly after to double the lead.
The only concern for the Boys in Green came when goalkeeper Noah Jauny clashed with an opponent and was forced off the pitched injured, giving away a penalty in the process. Malta captain Jake Micallef put away the spot kick to give the home side a shred of hope.
That optimism was short-lived however and O’Mahony completed his hat-trick with a goal either side of half-time. His third and Ireland’s fourth came from a penalty as a Malta defender was judged to handle the ball in the box. Hakiki made it five just minutes later.
O’Brien emptied the substitute bench in the second-half with Bohemians star Jamie Mullins Lonergan, Justin Ferizaj, Dara McGuinness and Sam Curtis all making an appearance.
Lonergan got in on the action to make it 6-1 before the home side had a goal disallowed. Captain Alex Murphy rounded off a dominant display by heading in Ireland's seventh from a corner late on.
