Republic of Ireland 5 - 0 Andorra | 2021 - UEFA Under-17 Championship | 2031046

UEFA European Under-17 Championship | Turner's Cross, Cork

07 October 2021 - 19:00

Republic of Ireland 5 - 0 Andorra

Ferizaj(13) O'Mahony(59) Zefi(69) Curtis(74) Vata(76) full-time

Report
Preview
Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
Statistics
Gallery

REPORT | Ireland MU17 5-0 Andorra MU17

Republic of Ireland made a dream start to their UEFA Under-17 European Championship qualifying campaign as they deservedly defeated Andorra 5-0 at Turner’s Cross on Thursday evening.

8th Oct 2021

Justin Ferizaj’s superb finish in the first-half followed by goals from Mark O’Mahony, Kevin Zefi, Sam Curtis, and Rocca Vata in the second was enough to send Ireland top of Group 5 following Poland’s 0-0 draw with North Macedonia earlier in the day at the Mardyke in Cork.

Colin O’Brien’s side dominated from the very beginning but for all their possession in their opponent’s half, it wasn’t until the 10th minute that they had their first sight at goal.

Andorra had defended well until that point but Ferizaj soon found himself in space 20 yards from the target although from there he could only send his curler harmlessly over the crossbar.

The Shamrock Rovers man would do much better with his next attempt as he gave Ireland the lead with a stunning solo effort.

The midfielder sensational weaved past a number of his opponents and from the edge of the box - with the help of the slick surface - he skidded his low drive just past the goalkeeper’s reach and into the far bottom right corner.

The visitors created just the one chance in the first period but following a swift counter-attack, forward Bernat Arderiu Vilanova sent his attempt high and wide and into the Shed End.

Ireland, led by the dangerous Zefi, created numerous opportunities at the other end of the pitch but their best opportunity to double their lead before the break fell to Luke O’Brien but the St Pats left-back sent his close-range header straight at the keeper before scrambling the rebound against the post.

But those goals would finally come in the second 45 as O’Mahony quickly settled any nerves when he sent his shot from Rocco Vata’s cross beat the keeper with the help of a deflection to make it 2-0.

That eventually became three following an excellent low finish into the far corner by Zefi, which his display thoroughly deserved, before Sam Curtis tapped home number four.

Vata completed the scoring in style when he blasted the ball inside the far post from distance to seal a great night and a great start to the qualifiers for Ireland’s youngsters.

Republic of Ireland: Walsh; Curtis, Heffernan, Browne, O’Brien; Vata (Murray 76), McManus, Ferizaj (Lipsuic 76); Umeh (Nolan 67), McLoughlin (O’Mahony 54), Zefi.

Andorra: Mendes Meireles; Rodriguez Gelabert, Sanchez Navarro, Acosta Farre, Teixeira Pinto; Rodriguez Dominguez, Estrada Quinquilla (Graca De Almeida ht), Torne Da Silva (Foix De La Rosa 62), Carrau Rodriguez (Balastegui Martinez 62); Guma Cerqueda (Colillas Baiget 71), Arderiu Vilanova (Jimenez Ferro 78).

Referee: Joonas Jaanovits (Estonia).

PREVIEW | Men's U17s qualifiers in Cork

The Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17 team will begin their UEFA Under-17 European Championship campaign against Andorra in Cork on Thursday, October 7th.

6th Oct 2021

This is the first of three qualifiers for Colin O‘Brien’s side at Turner’s Cross with Ireland taking on North Macedonia on Sunday and Poland on Wednesday.

Cork City centre back Cathal Heffernan will be hoping to play a key role in Colin O’Brien’s side as he looks to help his team plot a way through the first round of qualification.

“They’re massive games and everyone is looking forward to them,” said the 16-year-old defender. “The buzz in the camp is great. I feel if we get a good week’s training in we can go out there and get the result

“We were only together a few weeks ago for the games against Mexico and there’s a real togetherness in the camp. Most of us have been together since the Under-15s but even if there’s new players in the group they’re made to feel welcome and settle in quickly.”

A Cork-man, Cathal said it is an honour to play international football in his hometown. He explained: “The fans were amazing against Mexico and to play in front of friends and family is an honour. Then add to that, you get to play in Turner’s Cross which is something you dream of when you grow up in Cork.”

For Cathal his international development is being aided by fellow Corkonian O’Brien and the defender praised his Head Coach.

He explained: “Colin has been really good with us, not just on the football side but the mental side when there’s added pressure. Colin is really good at helping us deal with that pressure and making sure we’re ready for that added exposure.

“We know there will be pressure in these games but the fans are going to play a massive part, we have to be ready as this is where it matters and they’re not friendlies. To have the fans there is going to be really good and we’re going to need them every step of the way, right from the first minute until to the last.

“Everyone is looking forward to testing themselves in competitive matches and embracing tournament football. We saw the EUROS over the summer and we’re so excited to be competing to play in a EUROS of our own.”

UEFA Under-17 European Championship Qualifying Round - Group 5

Thursday, October 7 | Republic of Ireland MU17 v Andorra MU17, Turner’s Cross, KO 7pm
Sunday, October 10 | Republic of Ireland MU17 v North Macedonia MU17, Turner’s Cross, KO 7pm
Wednesday, October 13 | Republic of Ireland MU17 v Poland MU17, Turner’s Cross, 1pm

Tickets Information for Republic of Ireland MU17 Qualifiers

Andora MU17 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/u17-republic-of-ireland-v-andorra-tickets-179910125027
North Macedona MU17 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/u17-republic-of-ireland-v-north-macedonia-tickets-180179350287
Poland MU17 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/u17-poland-v-republic-of-ireland-tickets-180180634127

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

Substitutes

Coach

Colin O'Brien

Andorra

Substitutes

13 Ferran Fernandez (G)
6 Ramon Baiget
7 Biel Rodriguez
9 Nil Boutarfas
10 Adrià Martinez
11 Joan Ferro
16 Pol De La Rosa
18 Roc Campbell
23 Rodrigo De Almeida

Coach

Oscar Sonejee

Officials

Referee Joonas Jaanovits
Assistant Referees Aron Härsing
UEFA Delegate Thórir Hákonarson
Assistant Referee Two Runar Langseth
Fourth Official Sigurd Kringstad
Referee Observer Robert Schörgenhofer

Minute by Minute Commentary

1" The match is under way.
2" Gerard Estrada (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on James Mc Manus (Republic of Ireland).
5" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
7" Luke O'Brien (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Marc Rodriguez (Andorra).
11" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
13" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) scores!
13" Luke O'Brien (Republic of Ireland) assists.
14" Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
15" Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
17" Marc Torné (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland).
17" Marc Torné (Andorra) is cautioned by the referee.
17" Sam Curtis (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
20" Marcel Carrau (Andorra) is flagged for offside.
21" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
21" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Marc Torné (Andorra).
24" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
25" Gerard Estrada (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland).
25" Gerard Estrada (Andorra) is cautioned by the referee.
28" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
29" Marc Rodriguez (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland).
29" Marc Rodriguez (Andorra) is cautioned by the referee.
30" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
32" Gerard Sanchez (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Franco Umeh (Republic of Ireland).
33" Bernat Arderiu (Andorra) misses the target.
34" Sam Curtis (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Marcel Carrau (Andorra).
36" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
40" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
41" James Mc Manus (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Marcel Carrau (Andorra).
42" Luke O'Brien (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
42" Diego Meireles (Andorra) blocks a shot.
43" Caden Mc Loughlin (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
45" Jan Guma (Andorra) takes the corner.
The referee blows for half-time.
46" The second half begins.
46" Rodrigo De Almeida (in) - Gerard Estrada (out) (@@teamID)
50" Caden Mc Loughlin (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
52" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
55" Marc Torné (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland).
57" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Marc Torné (Andorra).
57" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
57" Mark O'Mahony (in) - Caden Mc Loughlin (out) (@@teamID)
59" Mark O'Mahony (Republic of Ireland) scores!
59" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) assists.
61" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Marc Rodriguez (Andorra).
62" Franco Umeh (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
64" Adrià Martinez (in) - Marcel Carrau (out) (@@teamID)
64" Pol De La Rosa (in) - Marc Torné (out) (@@teamID)
67" Franco Umeh (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
68" Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
68" Diego Meireles (Andorra) blocks a shot.
69" Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland) scores!
69" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) assists.
70" Alex Nolan (in) - Franco Umeh (out) (@@teamID)
73" Marc Rodriguez (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland).
74" Sam Curtis (Republic of Ireland) scores!
74" Justin Ferizaj (Republic of Ireland) assists.
74" Ramon Baiget (in) - Jan Guma (out) (@@teamID)
76" Rocco Vata (Republic of Ireland) scores!
79" Mark O'Mahony (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
79" Diego Meireles (Andorra) blocks a shot.
80" Liam Murray (in) - Rocco Vata (out) (@@teamID)
80" Darius Lipsiuc (in) - Justin Ferizaj (out) (@@teamID)
81" Liam Murray (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
83" Joan Ferro (in) - Bernat Arderiu (out) (@@teamID)
84" Adrià Martinez (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Liam Murray (Republic of Ireland).
86" Marc Rodriguez (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Kevin Zefi (Republic of Ireland).
89" Mark O'Mahony (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
90+2" Gerard Sanchez (Andorra) is penalised for a foul on Liam Murray (Republic of Ireland).
90+2" Gerard Sanchez (Andorra) is cautioned by the referee.
The final whistle is blown.