The Republic of Ireland Men’s National Team stepped up their preparations for Saturday’s international friendly against Grenada with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Real Murcia ‘B’ at the La Finca Resort Training Centre today.

In a match designed to test tactical cohesion, Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson and his staff instructed the squad to replicate the team structure of a full international fixture. The focus remained firmly on defensive shape, sustained possession and intentional patterns of play, with the group delivering a controlled performance throughout the 90 minutes.

Ireland started with intent and thought they had taken the lead as early as the fifth minute. After a period of early dominance, Chiedozie Ogbene delivered a dangerous cross from the right, which Millenic Alli headed home from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The pressure continued in the 12th minute when Tayo Adaramola found space on the left. His cross eventually fell to Rory Finneran at the edge of the area, but the teenager’s goal-bound effort was well-blocked by the Murcia defence.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 18th minute. Jason Knight showed great tenacity to win the ball high up the pitch, sparking a slick move involving Andrew Moran and Adam Idah. The ball was fed to Millenic Alli, who showed composure to beat two defenders before finishing into the bottom corner.

Ireland almost doubled their lead before the break. In the 26th minute, Dara O’Shea found Alli on the left, whose return cross was met by the head of Adam Idah, only for the keeper to pull off a fine save. Just before half-time, Andrew Moran released Idah once again, but his powerful effort was parried away.

Hallgrímsson introduced several changes for the second half, maintaining a high level of intensity. Tayo Adaramola continued to be a threat, curling an effort just past the post in the 55th minute before turning provider for substitute Tom Cannon in the 70th minute. Cannon produced a brilliant mazy run into the box, but his subsequent left-footed strike rattled the crossbar.

As the game entered the final stages, Ireland continued to control the game and create chances. Jack Moylan forced a good save with his feet following an Adam Idah pass, and then Idah himself, who had been reintroduced for the final stages, thought he had scored Ireland’s second in the 82nd minute, only to be denied by a marginal offside call.

The second goal finally arrived in the 90th minute. Jayson Molumby won possession in the midfield and embarked on a driving run before sliding the ball into the path of Adam Idah. The striker made no mistake, finishing clinically to seal a 2-0 victory.

The match served as a vital exercise in preparation for the upcoming international match against Grenada on Saturday, May 16th, with kick-off at 5pm (6pm local). 

Republic of Ireland Line-up:
Josh Keeley (Killian Cahill 46); Dara O'Shea, Mark McGuinness, James Abankwah; Tayo Adaramola (Adam Idah 73), Jason Knight (Jayson Molumby 46), Rory Finneran (Conor Coventry 46), Chiedozie Ogbene; Andrew Moran (Jack Moylan 46), Millenic Alli (Aidomo Emakhu 46), Adam Idah (Tom Cannon 46).
Goals: Millenic Alli (18), Adam Idah (90).
Yellow Cards: Jayson Molumby (60).