Republic of Ireland U23 1-2 England ‘C’
Credit:
Paul Doolin’s Republic of Ireland Under-23 side went down 2-1 to England ‘C’ in the opening match of the International Challenge Trophy at the RSC in Waterford on Wednesday evening.
A goal from substitute Paddy Madden wasn’t enough to cancel out goals from Andrew Fleming and Max Porter. A second half revival almost saw Ireland snatch a draw but it wasn’t to be.
Ireland had the first real chance of the game after 14 minutes. Conor Powell’s ball down the left wing found James Chambers. He found Ronan Finn just inside the penalty area, who beat one defender, but his poked his shot just wide.
Three minutes later and Paul Byrne almost grabbed the opening goal. James Chambers played Ross Gaynor down the right, he crossed but Byrne couldn’t stretch enough to make sufficient contact.
The opening goal arrived after 27 minutes and it was no more than England deserved. Fleming had a minute earlier rattled the crossbar with a header from Sean Newton cross but this time he made no mistake. Stephen O’Donnell received the ball from a throw out from keeper Darren Quigley. The Irish Captain slipped at the vital moment and gifted the ball to Max Porter who played in Andrew Fleming and he slid the ball under Quigley, though the keeper did manage to get a slight touch.
Ireland had a chance shortly later to pull level through Ronan Finn. Chambers played Dennehy down the wing, he crossed to Paul Byrne. He couldn’t control and the ball found its way to Finn on the edge of the box but he shot was well blocked by England captain Kyle McFadzean.
Kenny Browne, making his international debut in front of his hometown crowd, departed just before half time, unable to shake off a dose of the flu. A first half lacking real quality ended with England the much better team and Ireland struggling to hold onto the ball.
Paddy Madden replaced Paul Byrne at half time and the Bohemians striker would go on to have more of an impact than Byrne.
A great run from left back saw Conor Powell progress toward the England goal and cross for Madden. The substitute couldn’t control but the ball dropped Billy Dennehy. The Shamrock Rovers midfielder’s strike whizzed just over Dale Roberts crossbar.
Ross Gaynor was replaced by Gary McCabe and the Sligo Rovers midfielder would be instrumental in Ireland fight back.
England doubled their lead after 63 minutes. The impressive Fleming swung in a right wing corner which was met by the head of Tom Cadmore who flicked to the back post where Max Porter shot home.
Four minutes later and Ireland pulled a goal back when substitutes Gary McCabe and Paddy Madden linked up to give the home side a chance. McCabe’s superb through ball found Madden, who held of the defender before sliding the ball under England keeper Dale Roberts.
Substitutions threatened to kill off the game but Ireland continued to press for an equaliser with McCabe becoming more and more influential. McCabe’s right wing cross found Finn at the front post but the Sporting Fingal midfielder couldn’t control the ball and the chance was last.
In the final minutes England had the chance to kill of Ireland. Matthew Barnes-Homer broke through a poor Irish defence and rounded keeper Darren Quigley. He waited too long to shoot, however, and Stephen Mulcahy got back to block the shot.
Having almost conceded at one end, Ireland almost equalised at the other. Substitute Padraig Amond raced clear from the halfway line toward goal. Amond went alone but shot wide of goal with the unmarked Paddy Madden waiting in the middle of the penalty area the better option.
That was Ireland’s last chance in an overall poor match. Defensive frailties showed for Ireland against a fitter and physically stronger English side. Ireland now face Estonia away in September needing a win to stay in the competition, and hoping Estonia beat England the following month.
Republic of Ireland Under-23: Darren Quigley, Stephen Mulcahy, Conor Powell, Garry Breen, Kenny Browne (Shaun Kelly 35’), Stephen O'Donnell(c) (Greg Bolger 64’), Ross Gaynor (Gary McCabe 59’), James Chambers, Paul Byrne (Paddy Madden 46’), Ronan Finn (Padraig Amond 86’), Billy Dennehy.
Substitutes: Lorcan Fitzgerald, Robert Duggan.
England 'C': Dale Roberts, Shaun Densmore, Sean Newton, Tom Cadmore, Steven Gregory, Kyle McFadzean(c), Amari Morgan-Smith (Curtis Obeng 81’), Andrew Fleming (Rossi Jarvis 74’), Matthew Barnes-Homer, Sam Deering (Alex Rodman 90’), Max Porter (Ryan Hall 84’).
Substitutes: Scott Garner, Josh Mimms, Brian Saah.
Extratime Man of the Match: Andrew Fleming (England)
Referee: Alan Kelly
Attendance: 1570
A goal from substitute Paddy Madden wasn’t enough to cancel out goals from Andrew Fleming and Max Porter. A second half revival almost saw Ireland snatch a draw but it wasn’t to be.
Ireland had the first real chance of the game after 14 minutes. Conor Powell’s ball down the left wing found James Chambers. He found Ronan Finn just inside the penalty area, who beat one defender, but his poked his shot just wide.
Three minutes later and Paul Byrne almost grabbed the opening goal. James Chambers played Ross Gaynor down the right, he crossed but Byrne couldn’t stretch enough to make sufficient contact.
The opening goal arrived after 27 minutes and it was no more than England deserved. Fleming had a minute earlier rattled the crossbar with a header from Sean Newton cross but this time he made no mistake. Stephen O’Donnell received the ball from a throw out from keeper Darren Quigley. The Irish Captain slipped at the vital moment and gifted the ball to Max Porter who played in Andrew Fleming and he slid the ball under Quigley, though the keeper did manage to get a slight touch.
Ireland had a chance shortly later to pull level through Ronan Finn. Chambers played Dennehy down the wing, he crossed to Paul Byrne. He couldn’t control and the ball found its way to Finn on the edge of the box but he shot was well blocked by England captain Kyle McFadzean.
Kenny Browne, making his international debut in front of his hometown crowd, departed just before half time, unable to shake off a dose of the flu. A first half lacking real quality ended with England the much better team and Ireland struggling to hold onto the ball.
Paddy Madden replaced Paul Byrne at half time and the Bohemians striker would go on to have more of an impact than Byrne.
A great run from left back saw Conor Powell progress toward the England goal and cross for Madden. The substitute couldn’t control but the ball dropped Billy Dennehy. The Shamrock Rovers midfielder’s strike whizzed just over Dale Roberts crossbar.
Ross Gaynor was replaced by Gary McCabe and the Sligo Rovers midfielder would be instrumental in Ireland fight back.
England doubled their lead after 63 minutes. The impressive Fleming swung in a right wing corner which was met by the head of Tom Cadmore who flicked to the back post where Max Porter shot home.
Four minutes later and Ireland pulled a goal back when substitutes Gary McCabe and Paddy Madden linked up to give the home side a chance. McCabe’s superb through ball found Madden, who held of the defender before sliding the ball under England keeper Dale Roberts.
Substitutions threatened to kill off the game but Ireland continued to press for an equaliser with McCabe becoming more and more influential. McCabe’s right wing cross found Finn at the front post but the Sporting Fingal midfielder couldn’t control the ball and the chance was last.
In the final minutes England had the chance to kill of Ireland. Matthew Barnes-Homer broke through a poor Irish defence and rounded keeper Darren Quigley. He waited too long to shoot, however, and Stephen Mulcahy got back to block the shot.
Having almost conceded at one end, Ireland almost equalised at the other. Substitute Padraig Amond raced clear from the halfway line toward goal. Amond went alone but shot wide of goal with the unmarked Paddy Madden waiting in the middle of the penalty area the better option.
That was Ireland’s last chance in an overall poor match. Defensive frailties showed for Ireland against a fitter and physically stronger English side. Ireland now face Estonia away in September needing a win to stay in the competition, and hoping Estonia beat England the following month.
Republic of Ireland Under-23: Darren Quigley, Stephen Mulcahy, Conor Powell, Garry Breen, Kenny Browne (Shaun Kelly 35’), Stephen O'Donnell(c) (Greg Bolger 64’), Ross Gaynor (Gary McCabe 59’), James Chambers, Paul Byrne (Paddy Madden 46’), Ronan Finn (Padraig Amond 86’), Billy Dennehy.
Substitutes: Lorcan Fitzgerald, Robert Duggan.
England 'C': Dale Roberts, Shaun Densmore, Sean Newton, Tom Cadmore, Steven Gregory, Kyle McFadzean(c), Amari Morgan-Smith (Curtis Obeng 81’), Andrew Fleming (Rossi Jarvis 74’), Matthew Barnes-Homer, Sam Deering (Alex Rodman 90’), Max Porter (Ryan Hall 84’).
Substitutes: Scott Garner, Josh Mimms, Brian Saah.
Extratime Man of the Match: Andrew Fleming (England)
Referee: Alan Kelly
Attendance: 1570
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