Advertisement
File photo of Paul Doolin. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
COYBIG

Green shoots: Late Drennan strike seals under-19s progression to Elite Phase

At least one Irish team is winning.

IT TOOK 81 minutes, but Ireland’s under 19s finally broke down Macedonia’s defence and secured a 1-0 victory in group five of their UEFA Championships Qualifying Round tie in Luxembourg.

The hard-fought win came courtesy of Mikey Drennan’s calm finish from a Kieran Sadlier cross.

The three points assure Paul Doolin and his side of a  place in the elite phase of qualification as they sit level on six points with Germany in their pool with the two sides set to meet on Tuesday to determine to pool victors.

Post match, Doolin hailed the win as a job well done, saying:

“I’m delighted with the win and that we’ve done what we came out here to do and qualified for the Elite Phase.”

The former Cork City boss also paid tribute to the ability of his players to unite as a cohesive unit, despite only playing two previous fixtures together.

“This is only the second time that this group of players have met up having had their first friendly last month in Latvia,” Doolin said, “and to come out of these two games with six points is a great achievement particularly with the injuries which we’ve also had in the build up to this trip so to achieve what they have in those circumstances is a fantastic achievement.”

In an evenly matched first half, Sadlier and Drennan already seemed the most likely candidates to force an opening. The winger fashioned an early shooting chance which was deflected for a corner before Drennan was presented with an opportunity from Bradley Garmston on the left, which he pulled wide.

The game was goalless at half time, and when the heavens opened for the second 45 minutes, it appeared unlikely that creativity would win through.

Sighter

However, in the final 15 minutes, Ireland got a foothold and once again found their openings. Sadlier picked out Drennan with 11 minutes to go, but the striker’s header flashed wide.

But two sighters proved enough for the Aston Villa man. Two minutes later, Sadlier whipped in yet another dangerous cross from the right and the Kilkenny poacher arrived with impeccable timing to guide the ball in at the back post.

Macedonia almost hit back instantly when a rebound from Ian Lawlor’s save was not cleared and Afrim Ljuma powered a shot against the post. Luck, though, was on Ireland’s side and the boys in green held on for the win.

Republic of Ireland: Ian Lawlor (Man City); Noe Baba (Castlebar Celtic), Pierce Sweeney (Reading), Shane Griffin (Reading), Tommy Hoban (Watford), Kieran Sadlier (West Ham), Luke Gallagher (Burnley), Kealan Dillon (Hull City) [Brandon Miele '64 (Newcastle United)], Bradley Garmston (West Brom), Sam Byrne (Man Utd), Mikey Drennan (Aston Villa).

FYR Macedonia: Iliev, Musliu (Ramadanoski 46), Bejtulai, Zajkov, Talevski, Nikolov, Velkovski (Denkovski 78), Angelov, Alimi, Trajkovic (Besar 65), Ljuma.

‘Our aim is not Germany, our aim is Sweden and Austria’ declares Trapattoni

In pictures (and tweets): Sligo are the League of Ireland champions!