Ireland u17s

[Dj Duffer]

Just heard that the u17s beat Romania 4-0 in Dalymount. Great result wasnt it?:D :D

[tetsujin1979]

posted this on another message board, my review of the game:

On a particularly wet and windy Dalymount pitch, the Irish youths showed their class over the course of the game to run out strong winners in front of a crowd of about 3,000 - including the manager of the senior side.
But it wasn't all plain sailing for the boys in green, their Romanian counterparts had the measure of them for the majority of the first half with the keeper Shane Redmond called into service on more than one occasion to keep his team in it, while his opposite number was having trouble keeping warm, such was the lack of exercise he was getting! Ireland found the going very tough against a strong, organised, and skillful Romanian side, often out fought and out played in the centre of the park, with only the left full, captain Lorcan Fitzgerald and the left winger Donal McDermott seemingly capable of making forays into the opposition territory, while Crystal Palace youngster Tom Lyons ploughed a lonely furrow up front, feeding on scraps and forced to come deep to aid his teammates. Half time came with Ireland starting to retain possession but still not looking likely winners.
But, as the old saying goes, it is a game of two halves, and this most certainly was. Where previously there was hesitancy, suddenly there was confidence, and the iron curtain of Romania's defence and midfield suddenly started showing chinks of light for Ireland's playmakers to thread balls through to their forward line. The first goal was a scrappy affair, the ball was crossed in from the left by Sheridan, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, bounced around the area, and finally came to Manchester United striker Christy Fagan who lashed home the opener.
From the restart Romania tried to exert their earlier superiority, but their missed chances from the first half came back to haunt them as Graham Carey fired in from easily 40 yards in a goal somewhat reminiscent of Pedro Mendes' infamous goal that never was against Manchester United, the Celtic youngster's shot hitting the unfortunate Romanian keeper on the arm before bouncing over his shoulder and into the net.
From here on in it was all Ireland as the Romanians seem to dissolve before the green assault and the third goal that would surely come. A well worked cross into the area by McDermott was met well by Fagan to claim his second goal and the third of the night, a looping header over the centre half and into the far corner of the net.
Manchester City's young winger Donal McDermott completed the rout with a well taken final strike. Having moved off the wing and into the left hand side of central midfield, he raced free of the Romanian back line, and fired a shot beyond the advancing keeper, despite temporarily losing control of the ball and getting it caught under his boots.
At this point the Irish were shooting for fun, with several players attempting to recreate their midfielder's strike, but it was not to be as play wound down and the referee blew up to end the game.

A lesson learned from the first half, and the performance of the second bodes well for the rest of the qualifiers, in particular the performance of captain Lorcan Fitzgerald when the team were under the kosh thoughout most of the first half showed remarkable maturity and skill. With striker Dixon still to return, this squad has plenty of potential and bides well for the future.

Team:
Redmond, Callaghan, Donoghue, Fitzgerald, Spillane, Cahillane, Carey, McDermott, Daly, Lyons, Fagan

Subs:
Arter for Daly - half time
Sheridan for Lyons - 59 minutes
Breen for Cahillane - 72 minutes

Goals:
Fagan (2), Carey, McDermott

I'd like to thank the kind lady who provided me with a copy of the teamsheet during the game.

[Stuttgart88]

Excellent stuff Tets, thanks. Far more than anything the national press could be bothered to write.

[eirebhoy]

A win tomorrow night and they'll almost certainly win the group. Superb result. Excellent write up too Tets.

[SaucyJack]

thanks Tets,,,,3,000 in attendance? pretty good for an under-age match.

[Dj Duffer]

Did ya ever think of becoming a journalist Tets?!

[tetsujin1979]

thanks Tets,,,,3,000 in attendance? pretty good for an under-age match.
Think that's what was called out at the end of the game, although eleven-a-side has it listed as 2,000. I reckon it was somewhere between the two


Did ya ever think of becoming a journalist Tets?!
Nope, I'm a computer programmer by trade, although my brother did want to be one at some point.

[CraftyToePoke]

nice one tets, very enjoyable read, thank you.

''the iron curtain of romanias defence''.....quality:D

[tetsujin1979]

nice one tets, very enjoyable read, thank you.

''the iron curtain of romanias defence''.....quality:D
Cheers, I needed to fit some clichés into the report, was going to use the classic "good feet for a big lad" about Lyons up front, he was taller than most other players, and did show some nice touches

[as_i_say]

.....

[Forever Dreamin]

Tets make sure not to post your reports before the star goes to print or they'll print it and take all the credit! Excellent report, looking forward to tonights game

[eirebhoy]

Fagan missed a peno just before half time. Currently 0-0.

http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p222.htm

[Plastic Paddy]

Bloody Israel again. Can't we beat this shower at any level? :rolleyes:

:ball: PP

[hamish]

Bloody Israel again. Can't we beat this shower at any level? :rolleyes:

:ball: PP

Sorry to have to relay this to you PP - Damari has put Israel ahead after 70 mins.:mad:

[eirebhoy]

Ireland need a goal as I can't see Israel losing against Romania.

[eirebhoy]

Super sub Dixon equalises!

[hamish]

Super sub Dixon equalises!

Whew Eirebhoy, relief, on 82 mins too.:cool:

[hamish]

1-1 final score.

What's the story now? What do Ireland have to do against Serbia??

[eirebhoy]

1-1 final score.

What's the story now? What do Ireland have to do against Serbia??
Ireland - 4
Israel - 4
Serbia - 3

If we beat Serbia we'll win the group unless Israel can get a load of goals against Romania which I can't see. If we draw we have to hope Israel draw or lose. If we lose, Serbia overtake us. So they'll be going for the win, only the winner qualifies.

[hamish]

Ireland - 4
Israel - 4
Serbia - 3

If we beat Serbia we'll win the group unless Israel can get a load of goals against Romania which I can't see. If we draw we have to hope Israel draw or lose. If we lose, Serbia overtake us. So they'll be going for the win, only the winner qualifies.

Thanks Eirebhoy.:)

[eirebhoy]

FAI report:
http://www.fai.ie/article.php?subaction=showfull&id=1143662667&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&

[Dj Duffer]

Its a tight finish isnt it? Id say nothing less than a win will do against Serbia. Judging by Romanias results Israel should beat them. 2,120 not a bad crowd again!

[Stuttgart88]

Why won't Israel just go away and leave us alone?

[tetsujin1979]

From the report on the FAI site, the centre half Donoghue went up front late on to add extra pressure on Israel's defence, that's the kind of positive move we could have used in the senior side against Switzerland

[Kingdom]

Where is the Serbia match being played?

[Danny]

Decent enough game last nite, Ireland should have been 2up at half time, couple of great chances for fagan. Dominated most of the game but Israel came back into it after the peno miss and scored a decent goal on the break. Good positive reaction from Ireland after going a goal down and deservedly got the equaliser. Tolka on friday should be interesting.

Btw - after both goals the team tipping off had a shot at goal straight from the tip off, the Ireland one went wide but the Isreali one had to be tipped over the bar by the irish keeper, great effort....

[NeilMcD]

Tolka Park this Friday at 7pm.

[Kingdom]

I'll be taking it in so, was playing astro last night so couldn't make it.

[Dodge]

Is Terry Dixon the English born lad who lived in Kerry since he was very young? Or am I thinking of someone totally different?

[Dj Duffer]

Your thinking of a young lad called Luke Burgess i think!

[drummerboy]

You're thinking of Kerry Dixon

[Dj Duffer]

Good one!!!!!!!!!

[eirebhoy]

From the Irish Times back in September:

A stocky, bustling forward with great touch and footballing intelligience, London-born Dixon has been compared to Wayne Rooney. His English father is eager for his son to play for England and they are due to select him for an under-16 tournament next month, even though he has already played against them for Ireland. He qualifies for Ireland through his mother, who is from Bailieborough, Co.Cavan.

He was restricted to just 90 minutes football by Spurs in the Nordic Cup a few months ago and scored 3 goals. He also scored 2 goals from 3 sub appearances in the previous qualifiers. He's only gone 16 so I'll be keeping an eye on him.

[Dodge]

Yeah knew he was London born, but must have confused him with Burgess

[Dj Duffer]

He must have great potential if hes being compared to Rooney.

[tetsujin1979]

Not to put a dampner on things, but every promising young striker is being compared to Rooney, there's a kid at Man City called Daniel Sturridge (yes, he's Dean's nephew) and he has the same "new Rooney" label attached to him

[Dj Duffer]

And Dixon is only 17 who knows how much hes going to improve in the next few years. I saw a picture of Dixon on soccerscene.ie and he actually looks a bit like Rooney aswell!!

[cheifo]

Quote from todays Star.
"Ireland's goal hero Terry Dixon said after the match "it's the best feeling when you put the green jersey on and its even better when you score"
The Spurs youngster added"That was the biggest goal of my career"

Sounds like a good lad:)

[eirebhoy]

And Dixon is only 17 who knows how much hes going to improve in the next few years. I saw a picture of Dixon on soccerscene.ie and he actually looks a bit like Rooney aswell!!
16. :) Born in 1990.

[jbyrne]

Quote from todays Star.
"Ireland's goal hero Terry Dixon said after the match "it's the best feeling when you put the green jersey on and its even better when you score"
The Spurs youngster added"That was the biggest goal of my career"

Sounds like a good lad:)

yes, saw the goal on telly and the entire team went wild when they scored

[soccerc]

yes, saw the goal on telly and the entire team went wild when they scored


It's not unique but this group of players have really bonded well together and that bodes well for the next few years as they progress as a team.

One of the funniest set pieces I've ever seen was when Ireland won a corner 6 players would start moving across the 18 yard line like a train!

[Stuttgart88]

soccerc, do you think they'll beat Serbia? Sounds like a close call.

[Schumi]

I saw a picture of Dixon on soccerscene.ie and he actually looks a bit like Rooney aswell!!
That's a terrible thing to say about the poor lad!

[soccerc]

soccerc, do you think they'll beat Serbia? Sounds like a close call.

I believe they can beat them - technically the Serbs are superb but I think they irish lads will be too much for them. Physically our 16/17 years olds are big compared to previous years and Sean mcCaffrey has instilled them with great confidence without being arrogant.

[silentbob]

FAO: Anybody who was at the first match vs Romania.

What do you think of Donal McDermott? He was suspended for last nights match but played in the first one and will tomorrow night as far as I know. Will get to tomorrow nights match but since I didnt get to the first a report on him would be nice. Cheers.

[SaucyJack]

FAO: Anybody who was at the first match vs Romania.

What do you think of Donal McDermott? He was suspended for last nights match but played in the first one and will tomorrow night as far as I know. Will get to tomorrow nights match but since I didnt get to the first a report on him would be nice. Cheers.


yeah, is he another undersized winger? , ,like Flood and Partridge

[silentbob]

yeah, is he another undersized winger? , ,like Flood and Partridge


Left winger. As for been undersized he is only 16/17 ( dont know which) so plenty of time left for him to grow. Just wanted report generally on how he played.

[pineapple stu]

16. :) Born in 1990.
:eek:

Jesus, that's scary!

[Paddy Garcia]

yeah, is he another undersized winger? , ,like Flood and Partridge

......and Duff & Jimmy Johnstone!

[tetsujin1979]

FAO: Anybody who was at the first match vs Romania.

What do you think of Donal McDermott? He was suspended for last nights match but played in the first one and will tomorrow night as far as I know. Will get to tomorrow nights match but since I didnt get to the first a report on him would be nice. Cheers.
Thought he looked good, I hear lots of positive things about him at Man City too. In the first half he linked up well with the left full Lorcan Fitzgerald and played a lot of one-two overlap passes with Lorcan to get into the Romanian half. The two of them seemed to be the only players looking to get out of their own half for long portions of the first half. Moved off the wing into the left side of central midfield to partner Graham Carey when Cillian Sheridan came on, and improved the midfield no end, culminating in his well deserved goal. From the reports I've read of wednesday's game, I'd say he'll probably start on friday evening, whether that's on the wing or in central midfield I can't say.