Republic of Ireland Amateur International manager Conor Coad was delighted with a valuable squad workout after a moment of individual brilliance from Luke Casey secured a 1-0 victory over an FAI ETB XI at Home Farm. 

The fixture was the first step of the new era, with Coad using the match as a "player ID exercise" to assess a squad of 22 players, fielding two completely different line-ups in each half. 

The decisive goal came late in the first half from the experienced Casey, a player Coad noted has a knack of stepping up in big moments 

Speaking after the game, Coad reflected on a competitive encounter. "It was a good, competitive game with a strong intensity and structure to it, especially considering both teams were only coming together on the day," he said. 

"I thought in the first half we were very good with the ball and also pressed high to really take the game to our opponents and probably just about deserved the lead going in at the break. In the second half, they came into it a lot more and had more of the ball, but they didn't really create anything, which is a credit to our lads staying organised and keeping their concentration levels throughout." 

The manager’s primary focus was on giving players a chance to impress in a match day environment, a crucial step up from regional assessments. 

"This is all part of the player ID exercise we have going on over the last number of months," Coad explained. "The main thing is giving everyone an opportunity to go and perform and to see them in that matchday environment. There's always that different feel to it when you're playing against another team, and some lads really thrive in that setting." 

While the night was about assessing new talent, it was a familiar face who provided the game's standout moment. 

"Luke is still young but he’s been around the international scene for the last number of years," Coad said of his goalscorer. "He has a lot of quality and in tight games like that, he has a knack for coming up with a big moment, and he did that for us tonight." 

Describing the goal, Coad detailed: "Luke ran onto a ball over the top, it looked like he was going to cross it as there were a couple of runners to the back post, but he had a shot from about 25 yards out and it caught the 'keeper at the near post. It was a great finish which showed that quality Luke has." 

With this successful first step completed, Coad is already looking ahead to the next challenge. 

"The next step for us is a game against the Defence Forces, in December," he commented. "We'll be naming a completely different squad for that game and it will be another great opportunity for the players to go and show what they're capable of.” 

Match Details

Result: Republic of Ireland Amateur International 1-0 FAI ETB XI 

Goal: Luke Casey (36 min) 
Assist: Conor Kilgannon 

First-Half XI: 
Craig Hyland (GK); Mark Byrne (C), Regan Lennon, Cian Murphy, Tyler Doherty; Calvin Douglas, Stephen Chambers, Jordan Buckley; Conor Kilgannon, John Fred Tamen, Luke Casey. 

Second-Half XI: 
Harry Doherty (GK); Adam Conway, Jack Funge, Lee McColgan (C), Tiernan O'Brien; Luke Parke, Michael Lavin, Dale Holland; Conor Coughlan, Robert Walsh, Garbhan Friel.