The
Republic of Ireland Under-15 squad got the defence of their tri-nations
tournament off to a positive start as they drew the first game and won
the second against Wales on Friday at Wilgar Park in Belfast.Ireland have claimed the title contested annually between the three nations of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales in each of the last three year’s since the tournament’s inception in 2004.
The first game between the Republic of Ireland and Wales ‘B’ teams at finished in a 2-2 draw.
Debutant Conner McGlinchey from Hamilton Academicals opened the scoring after 11 minutes by planning a shot into the bottom corner before a looping header from Max Penk brought Wales level six minutes later.
The Welsh went in front three minutes after half-time through a splendid Richard Kane free-kick but Uros Ivkovic squared the match up again for Ireland with an exquisite finish on the hour mark.
The Republic of Ireland were by the far the better of the teams when the ‘A’ teams met up directly after the first game.
Daniel Purdy (pictured above), fresh from spearheading Crumlin United to the National Irish Bank SFAI Under-14 Goodson Cup title last Saturday, made his mark again by opening the scoring with a penalty after only three minutes.
The
striker stepped up and fired the spot-kick into the bottom right corner,
sending the goalkeeper the wrong way in the process.Purdy netted his and Ireland’s with 15 minute gone by converting a teasing cross from Lorcan Shannon.
Substitute Shane Byrne made the game safe with the third Irish goal three minutes from full-time, blasting the ball into the net after Wales failed to properly clear a corner.
The final series of games take place today, Saturday, May 24, when the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland contest two matches with kick-off times of 2pm and 4pm respectively.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‘A’: McDermott (Vaag FK Norway), Morrissey (Waterford Bohs), Maloney (St. Josephs Boys), Devine (Crumlin United), McGinty (Charlton Athletic), Shannon (St. Kevin’s Boys), O’Sullivan (Belvedere), McHugh (Dungloe Town), Merritt (Milford United), Purdy (Crumlin United), McGuinness (Lourdes Celtic).
Subs: Mahon (Raheny United) for Purdy, Byrne (Crumlin United) for O’Sullivan (both 52 mins), Barker (Shelbourne) for Morrissey, Kavanagh (Belvedere) for McHugh (both 60 mins), Burdon (Rennes) for McDermott (62 mins).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‘B’: Hanlon (Shelbourne), Boccarossa (Crumlin United), Yadolahi (St. Kevin’s Boys), Billy Lane (Mervue Utd), Byrne (Belvedere), McGlinchey (Hamilton Academicals), Forde (Kingdom Boys), McGee (Hamilton Academicals), Knight (St. Josephs Boys), Donovan (Stella Maris), Williams (Tramore Athletic).
Subs: Murphy (All Blacks) for Donovan, Ivkovic (Kingdom Boys) for McGee and Smith (Springfield Ramblers) for Hanlon (48 mins), Jewell (Shelbourne) for Boccarossa and Mountenay (Kiltimagh/Knock Utd) for Forde (55 mins).