Belgium U16 ‘A'...1-0 Republic of Ireland ‘A' U16

 

The Republic of Ireland Under-16s looked on their way to a credible draw against Belgium today (Thursday) in Tongeren until they conceded in the last minute of the game.

 

In a rare incident of goalmouth action in the Irish penalty area, they were undone by a wicked free-kick that took a flick of a Belgium striker at the front post to deceive goalkeeper Conor O'Donnell.

 

 

Ireland had followed up Tuesday's impressive performance with another assured display but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal would haunt them in the dying seconds.

 

 

John Morling's side carved out their opponents on several occasions in the first half only to suffer when it came to end product.

 

 

Kealan Dillon, the scorer of Ireland's winner on Tuesday, smashed an early shot over the crossbar before both Philip Roberts and Carel Tiofack saw good chances saved.

 

The opportunities continued to flow for the visitors with centre-back Adam O'Connor heading over from Dillon's corner and Roberts being foiled by the Belgium goalkeeper after he raced clear on goal.

 

Tiofack managed to beat the goalkeeper from Ken McEvoy's low cross but the effort was ruled out for offside, despite him looking at least level with the last defender.

 

Irish netminder Conor O'Donnell was relieved to see the Belgian striker nod his header from a good position wide early in the second half but Ireland continued to attack and Michael Drennan was unable to match his bustling dribble with the finish shortly afterwards.

 

The game looked to be petering out when the Irish goal was breached, providing a disappointing end to an otherwise productive afternoon for the boys in green.

 

Ireland manager John Morling said afterwards: "The boys did well today apart from not scoring.

 

"Ahead of next season's UEFA Under-17 Championship qualifiers, it was a lesson. Chances such as those we created must be put away at this level of international football or, failing that, ensuring they get at least a draw by not conceding at the other end.

 

"The boys will learn from this experience. I couldn't fault their effort and we had by far the vast majority of goalscoring chances.

 

"These games in Belgium were the last for this season and the players have really developed over the course of the season. Our Under-17 manager Sean McCaffrey was with us this week for the two pairs of matches and the players would have made an impression, including some of the late developers in the B squad.

 

"I'd like to thank all the players who were involved this season, not just those with us this week, and I'll look forward to keeping tabs on how they do in the future, both for their clubs and Ireland."

 

REP OF IRELAND U16 ‘A': Conor O'Donnell (Buncrana Hearts); Colm Horgan (Salthill Devon), Luke Gallagher (Cherry Orchard), Adam O'Connor (Cherry Orchard), Shane Griffin (Carrigaline United); Darragh Lenihan (Belvedere), Brandon Miele (Cherry Orchard), Kealan Dillon (Belvedere), Michael Drennan (Evergreen); Carel TioFack
(Ballincollig), Philip Roberts (Norwich City).
Substitutions: Ken McEvoy (Villa FC) for Miele (15 mins - inj), Jamie Smith (Cherry Orchard) for Gallagher (60 mins - inj), James Murphy (Reading) for Tiofack (70 mins), Sami AdeOsobe (Glenmuir United) for Dillon (75 mins),

Belgium U16 ‘A'...3-0 Republic of Ireland ‘A' U16

 

 

It was a similar tale for the Republic of Ireland ‘B' squad who pushed their Belgian ‘A' counterparts in the early stages only to gift their opponents some easy goals.

 

Ireland fashioned the best chances of the opening exchanges when Adam Evans sprinted down the left before drilling a cross into the unmarked David Graydon, who was denied a certain goal by a last-ditch defensive challenge.

 

All of their promising play came to nothing though and the hosts capitalised on two defensive lapses to score on each occasion and take a commanding interval lead.

 

The lively Evans continued to pose a threat in the second half, getting on the end of three separate moves that were each missed.

 

Substitute Jack Nardiello, too, was close to reducing the deficit only to fire off-target.

 

And Ireland's profligacy was to be punished when the clinical Belgians added a third goal on 55 minutes to kill off any comeback prospects.

 

Darren Murray, coach of the Irish B squad, said: "We created 9 clear-cut chances but failing to take them at this level tends to be crucial.

 

"I think we got it tactically spot-on today against a very technically advanced Belgium side and put it up to them in a lot of areas.

 

"We had a lot of strong individual displays and though a lot of lads were relatively new to the international set-up, the experience they've gained by playing against a top side like Belgium will be invaluable to them in the future careers."

 

Murray concluded by stating: "The players showed a great attitude this week and are a credit to their clubs. I'd also like to thank my staff of Jason Donoghue, Billy Hearne, Bobby Flood and Paul Sheridan for their work this week."

REP OF IRELAND U16 ‘B': Ian Lawlor (Home Farm); Glen Daly (Malahide United), Sean Kavanagh (Belvedere), Pierce Sweeney (Belvedere), Ronan Murphy (Killarney Ath); Brian Lenihan (College Corinthians), David Graydon (Cherry Orchard), Conor Pepper (Portmarnock); Mark Timlin (Buncrana Hearts), Adam Evans (Belvedere), Liam Martin (Donegal Town).
Substitutions: Jack Nardiello (Leicester City) for Martin, Darragh Murphy (Innishvilla) for R. Murphy, John McKeown (Belvedere) for B. Lenihan, Emmet Cotter (Midleton) for Timlin (all h/t), Shane McGinty (Kildrum Tigers) for Graydon (50 mins), John Kavanagh (Ringmahon Rangers) for Daly (60 mins), Darren O'Donoghue (Belvedere) for Pepper (62 mins).

 

Under-16 Friendly Internationals:
Tuesday, April 27
Belgium B 3-4 Republic of Ireland A
Maasmechelen

Belgium A 1-0 Republic of Ireland B
 

Thursday, April 29
Belgium A 1-0 Republic of Ireland A
Tongeren

Belgium B 3-0 Republic of Ireland B
Tongeren.

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