Irish Amateurs draw 2-2 in friendly in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland 2 Republic of Ireland 2
The Republic of Ireland held Northern Ireland to a 2-2 draw in a very competitive tie at Strangmore Park, Dungannon, Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.
The tie was arranged as part of Northern Ireland's preparation for their UEFA Regions Cup qualifiers in Macedonia next week were they face Sweden, Wales and the hosts.
Gerry Smith used this game as a Junior International and capped players from Roscommon, Galway, Sligo, Tipperary, Cork, Kerry, Wexford and Dublin. The Manager was forced to plan without the services of Darren Dunne who withdrew earlier today through injury.
The game started at a frantic pace and the Rep. of Ireland had plenty of possession in the first 15 minutes and it was no surprise when on seventeen minutes Park Utd's Darren Lynch headed in the opening goal after an excellent cross from Peter Mc Carthy.
After the goal the Rep. of Ireland allowed Northern Ireland back in to the game and the equalised through Paul Maguire in the 25th minute. Northern Ireland always looked dangerous on the break and created a number of chances before the break.
The second half started the same as the first with the Rep. of Ireland taking the game to Northern Ireland and it was against the run of play that Northern Ireland took the lead through substitute David Wright after a shot from just inside the box that caught Adrian Walsh wrong footed.
It was substitute Keith Nibbs that drew the Republic level with 15 minutes to go when he finished from close range after an excellent cross from Ciaran Clark.
Both sides went close in the closing minutes of the game and the North were reduced to ten men when Jonathan Montgomery had words with Match Referee Wesley Campbell.
It was a solid performance from a staring back four led by Amateur Internationals James Walsh and Paul Breen and cemented in midfield by the experienced Sheamie Crowe.
REP. OF IRELAND: Adrian Walsh (Carrick Utd), Wayne Corbert (Janesboro FC), James Walsh (St. Michaels FC), Paul Breen (St Michaels FC), Paul Murphy (Sheriff YC)John Meleady (Kilbarrack Utd), Sheamie Crowe (Athenry FC), Paul Murphy (Northend Utd), Peter Mc Carthy (Killarney Celtic), Darren Lynch (Park Utd) Liam Lynch (Ballinasloe Town).
Subs: David Conroy (Ballymun Utd) for Adrian Walsh, Eugene O' Brien (Courtown Hibs) for Paul Murphy, Mark Mooney (Kilbarrack Utd) for Sheamie Crowe, Keith Nibbs (City Utd) for Peter Mc Carthy, Alan Barry (Pike Rovers) for Liam Lynch, Shane Clark (Janesboro FC) for Darren Lynch.
International 
