Ireland suffer single goal defeat in U18 friendly
Credit:
Paul Doolin's Republic of Ireland under-18 side fell to a late single goal defeat by Switzerland in a friendly game in Monthey on Tuesday night.
Sam O'Connor had come close to opening the scoring in the 73rd minute but his powerful strike was blocked.
The Swiss scored the game's only goal in the 77th minute when Shpetim Sulejmani slotted home after a cross by fellow substitute Olivier Da Costa was not properly cleared.
Ireland almost levelled in the 92nd minute when Aston Villa's Jack Grealish had a header just wide from a Gary O'Neill.
Irish boss Doolin was pleased with the run out and is looking forward to Thursday's second friendly.
"There had been horrendous rain in the build-up which made for a very heavy pitch and it was close to being called off a few hours beforehand,” said Doolin.
"Overall we deserved a draw and I was very happy considering it was the first game with a group of players who haven't played together for over a year. Swiss were decent.
"It was a first game for us to see them and for them to see what we want. It wasn't bad. I would be happy enough with some players.
"Jack Grealish did really well for us. The defence was good. Ryan McConnell and Mason Watkins-Clark were very good and Shane Fagan was solid. Unfortunately Adam Wixted had to go off at half-time and he had been a decent threat. We'll make a few changes for the next one.”
SWITZERLAND: Pascal Albrecht; Michael Goncalves (Christoph Stenz 46), Ahmet Ozcan, Manuel Riedweg, Thomas Fekete, Gazzetta Karim, Janko Saidy (Marvin Graf 64), Christopher Teichmann (Gente Mazreku 71), Miguel Castroman (Olivier Da Costa 46), Omar Thali (Shpetim Sulejmani 64), Gregory Karlen.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Shane Fagan, Ben McLaughlin, Ryan McConnell, Mason Watkins-Clark, Evan Finnegan, Adam Wixted (Gary O'Neill 46), Dylan Hayes (Tom Mulroney 57), Kevin O'Connor, Dylan McGlade (Lynden Gooch 74), Jack Grealish, Sam O'Connor (Johnny Leddy 68).
