THERE WERE MIXED fortunes for Ireland’s underage soccer teams today as the U17s lost 5-0 to Croatia in the Elite Round qualifiers, while the U19 outfit won 3-1 in a friendly against Slovakia.
The Ireland U17 side suffered their third loss of the Euro qualifiers when Croatia were in dominant form. After previous defeats to Portugal (4-1) and Germany (2-0) in the elite round last Wednesday and Saturday respectively, Ireland’s chances of qualification were already ended before today’s game.
They trailed 2-0 at the break with Mislav Cutuk and Marko Zebic both netting for Croatia. Ireland had began brightly with their St Patrick’s Athletic strike partnership having chances, Mason Melia’s header flashing just wide and Michael Noonan firing another shot just past the far post.
Luca Cailloce came close either side of the break to netting for Ireland. Needing to better Germany’s goal difference to quality, Croatia piled forward in the finale with Patrik Maric and Cutuk extending their lead, before the crucial fifth goal arrived courtesy of defender Ljubo Puljic to send his team to the finals in Cyprus at the expense of Germany.
Ireland: Cooney, Harnett, McCarthy, Cailloce, McGlinchey, (Sherlock, 63’) Fitzgerald (Murray, 63’) Moore (C), O’Donnell (Finneran, 72’), Ochoa (O’Sullivan, 63’), Melia, Noonan.
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The Ireland U19 team before today's game.
Substitute Franco Umeh inspired a 3-1 victory for the Ireland U19 team in their friendly against Slovakia today.
A brilliant individual effort by Umeh put Ireland 2-1 ahead after they had responded from a goal down. Tom Mohan’s side ultimately responded to the 1-0 defeat they suffered against Slovakia three days ago.
Slovakia went ahead early on through Jakub Murko, but Drogheda United’s Killian Cailloce equalised on his first start for Ireland.
Crystal Palace forward Umeh put Ireland in front and Derry City striker Sean Patton added a third to round off the win.
Ireland: Wogan (Brady, 63), Deans, Ashbee, Turley, J. O’Sullivan, Lipsuic (C), McGrath, Brennan (Akachukwu, 63), Cailloce (Razi, 79), Patton, Kelly (Umeh, 25)
