Republic of Ireland 2-0 Norway
Noel McCaffrey’s Republic of Ireland under-19 side maintained the recent good run of Irish underage sides with a convincing victory over their Norwegian counterparts at Richmond Park on Monday evening.
Ireland dominated throughout, despite the fact that they were without the services of a raft of the group’s more experienced players, such as Fulham’s Michael Timlin, Stephen Bradley of Arsenal, Sunderland’s Richie Ryan, Henry McStay of Leeds United, Mark Yeates (Spurs) and Manchester City winger Willo Flood.
They should have taken the lead in the first half, but several decent openings went a-begging, including a chance for Bohemians youngster Stephen Ward, making his debut at under-19 international level after bagging a brace on his first-team bow for Bohs last Friday night.
However, he hesitated fatally after finding himself momentarily in the clear following one of several weak kick-outs by Norway goalkeeper Iven Austbo.
Newcastle United left winger Alan O’Brien was involved in most of Ireland’s brightest moments during that first half, but Wolves striker Gary Mulligan spurned an opportunity from his cross and O’Brien himself was unable to find the target after sprinting into the clear at one stage.
Birmingham City keeper Colin Doyle got his chance to stake a place in goal, but did not have much to do as Norway rarely threatened, one perfectly-timed tackle from another Wolves player, right back Patrick Flynn, breaking up the visitors best moment of the game.
McCaffrey’s side, all hoping to impress for the forthcoming European under-19 championship qualifiers in San Marino in September, did take the lead just before the hour mark, a brilliantly-executed free kick by Leeds United defender Derek Tyrrell finding its way past Austbo to the Norwegian net from just outside the area.
Nottingham Forest midfielder David Freyne, the son of former Cork City star Patsy, should have extended his side’s advantage soon after, blazing over after Ward’s excellent play on the right touchline had created the opening, but Freyne – introduced as a half-time sub – made amends with 15 minutes remaining, following up to finish the ball to the empty net after the goalkeeper spilled the initial shot from Derby County striker David Cassidy, only on a matter of minutes as a substitute.
The sides meet again at Belfield Park tomorrow evening (Wednesday).
Republic of Ireland: C. Doyle (Birmingham City), P. Flynn (Wolverhampton Wanderers), E. Fullerton (Livingstone), C. Deans (Derby County), D. Tyrell (Leeds United), H. Yazdani (Coventry City), S. Dawson (Leicester City), K. O’Connor (Wolverhampton Wanderers), A. O’Brien (Newcastle United); G. Mulligan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), S. Ward (Bohemians). Subs: Freyne (Nottingham Forest) for Yazdani, Russell (Galway United) for O’Brien (both at half-time), Cassidy (Derby County) for Mulligan, O’Leary (Luton Town) for O’Connor (both 65 mins), Quigley (Millwall) for Ward (78 mins).
Norway: Austbo, Liknes, Holmvik, Johansen, Gabrielsen, Andreasen, Hauger, Walde, Storesund, Lund, Myklebust. Subs: Abdellaoui for Mykleust, Danielsen for Walde (both 66 mins), Ertsan for Andreasen (80 mins).
Referee: I. Stokes (Dublin).
From elevenaside.com
Good game last night, just a fiver in at Inchicore. See the stars of the future again tomorrow night in UCD for cheap - can't get a price in yet. Remeber that five years ago, this was where Duff, Keane and all were!
No Rangers (or Rosenberg) players in the Norwegian team, so it might not interest certain contributors to this forum, but worth a look to the rest of us.
20/08/2003, 12:38 PM
Schumi
I saw Willo Flood in Belfield last year I think. He looked class, looking forward to seeing him again tonight.
