Under-15 Friendly International

Finland 1-0 Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland Under-15s lost for the first time this season when a second half penalty earned victory for Finland in Eerikkila on Thursday.

 

Ireland Head Coach Niall Harrison made seven changes to his starting team to the side which beat the Finnish 2-1 in Tuesday's first instalment of the double-header.

 

 

As was the case on Tuesday, it was Ireland who controlled the game and created the bulk of chances but a combination of poor finishing and superb goalkeeping thwarted their best efforts.

 

 

Ireland goalkeeper Aaron Myles, making his international debut, didn't have to make a save of note from play throughout yet conceded the spot-kick 22 minutes from full-time.

 

 

Two goal hero from the first game, Gareth McMcCaffrey, had earlier come close to finding a breakthrough only to be denied, as was midfielder Craig Donnellan with a shot which was well saved.

 

 

Substitute Jack Byrne thought he'd scored for Ireland in the second half when his low drive flew through a clutch of defenders towards the bottom corner but the goalkeeper again pulled off a wonder-save.

 

 

"It was a disappointment to lose but the defeat is diluted by the standard of performance from our lads," said Harrison afterwards.

 

 

"I felt we played better than we had on Tuesday and the only thing missing was a goal. At international level, missing the amount and quality of chances we did ultimately costs, but the boys can be proud of their performance."

 

 

Republic of Ireland: Aaron Myles (St. Kevin's Boys), Sean Burke (Rangers),  Dan Cleary (Crumlin United), Noe Baba (Castlebar Celtic), Kevin Toner (Home Farm); Christopher Flanagan (Glencar), Craig Donnellan (Corinthians), Eoghan Stokes (St. Kevin's Boys); Dean O'Halloran (Southend), Gareth McCaffrey (Shelbourne), Garbhan McKenna (Monaghan United).

Substitutions: Alex O'Hanlon (St. Kevin's Boys) for McKenn - inj (35 mins), Jack Byrne (St. Kevin's Boys) for Flanagan, Cody Mulhall (Stella Maris) for Donnellan, Shane Dineen (Ferrybank) for Baba (all 50 mins), Jordan O'Reilly (St. Kevin's Boys) for Burke, Sean Noble (St. Kevin's Boys) for O'Halloran (both 60 mins).

 

Under-15 Friendly Internationals:

Tuesday January 25
Finland 1-2 Republic of Ireland

Thursday January 27
Finland 1-0 Republic of Ireland.

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