U19 Elite Fixtures - Cork

Italy v Moldova - 16/10/2005 - 2.30 - Knockgriffin Park, Midleton
Ireland v N.Ireland - 16/10/2005 - 7.00 - Turners Cross
Italy v N.Ireland - 18/10/2005 - 2.30 - Knockgriffin Park
Ireland v Moldova - 18/10/2005 - 7.00 - Saint Colman's Park, Cobh
Ireland v Italy - 20/10/2005 - 7.00 - Turners Cross
N.Ireland v Moldova - 20/10/2005 - 7.00 - Saint Colman's Park

Only the winner of the group qualifies for the Finals held in Poland so home advantage could be a huge boost. We had Italy in our last group which we topped.

You'd expect us to beat Moldova and the North, and Italy to do the same, so it'll be the game on the 20th that should be the decider

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Republic of Ireland 2 — 1 Northern Ireland

Clarke 9 --- Fordyce 27
Stokes 33

The Republic of Ireland ensured they opened their UEFA U19 Championship on a successful note with a superb opening half performance against Northern Ireland at Turner’s Cross.

The Republic led 2-1 at half-time and but for a superb save by Northern goalkeeper John Tuffey from a penalty they would surely have had the points secure by the break.

They led after juust nine minutes when the excellent Ian Morris picked out Billy Clarke with a 30 yards pass that set the striker up inside the penalty area.

Clarke spun away from a tackle and then hit a left foot shot that beat Tuffey from 12 yards.

A serious injury to full-back Mark Keane in the 12th minute disrupted the Republic’s team-work for a time. He was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg and will obviously their matches against Moldova, on Tuesday, and Italy on Thursday.

Northern Ireland were level after 27 minutes when Daryl Fordyce slipped through on the blind-side of the Republic’s defence to head a neat goal from Tony Kane’s deep cross but the Republic came storming back.

They were driven on by the excellent form of the talented Ian Morris and Darren Gibson in central midfield and their speedy strikers kept the North’s defence at full-stretch

The second goal came after 33 minutes and again Morris had a part to play. His clever free from the left wing found Anthony Stokes bravely forcing his way to the near upright to head the ball in.

Jonathan Hayes raced into the penalty area to lure David Armstrong into the tackle that resulted in a penalty. Tuffey reacted brilliantly to push Hayes’ penalty against an upright and Stoke blew the rebound wildly over, but in the end two goals was enough to do it for the Republic.

Teams:

Republic of Ireland: Randolph (Charlton); Keane (Bohemians), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), O'Dea (Celtic), Stapleton (Reading); Kelly (Bohemians), Gibson (Manchester Utd), Morris (Leeds Utd), Hayes (Reading); Stokes (Arsenal), Clarke (Ipswich Town). Subs: Madden (Leeds Utd) for Keane 12; O'Brien (Celtic) for Hayes 80; O'Carroll (Celtic) for Stokes 86.

Northern Ireland: Tuffey (Coventry City); Kane (Blackburn Rovers), Armstrong (Hearts), McArdle (Sheffield Wednesday), McCabe (Ballymena Utd); Doherty (Hearts), Turner (Derby County), Catney (Reading), O'Connor (Crewe Alexandra); Fordyce (Portsmouth), Lafferty (Burnley). Subs; Rosbotham (Ballymena) for Armstrong 46; McCrink (Coventry City) for O'Connor 55; Spratt (Coleraine) for McCabe 61.

Referee: Mr. S. Berezka (Ukraine).

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http://www.fai.ie/article.asp?hlid=3...avlid=&sublid=

Was anybody at this game & is anyone going to the others? Sounds like a good bunch of players & McCaffrey was very upbeat.

First hand reports & comment would be appreciated. I'd love to get a look at these guys.

I got mixed up with the U17s and thought this was the Elite rounds. Its only the qualifying rounds so top 2 qualify.

Italy must be strong if Lupoli can't even make the team. It does sound like we have a strong team but when you think that Kerr named the Greece U16 team the day before it was announced you have to wonder about McCaffrey saying things like this:
"the blond lad is very quick and the other is a big lad … are two good players up front" :)

N.Ireland 0-0 Italy

Teams:

Northern Ireland: Tuffey (Coventry City); Turner (Derby County), McArdle (Sheffield Wednesday), Kane (Blackburn Rovers), McMenamin (West Brom); Garrett (Stoke City), Fordyce (Portsmouth), Catney (Reading), Rosbotham (Ballymena Utd); Lafferty (Burnley), McCordick (Portadown). Subs: Armstrong (Hearts) for McCordick 62; Doherty (Hearts) for Garrett 69; O’Connor (Crewe Alexandra) for Fordyce 82.

Italy: Consigli (Atalanta); Ungaro (Reggina), Rinaldi (Udinese), Freddi (Roma), Belmonte (Bari); Dessena (Parma), Prevete (Empoli), Candreva (Ternana), Savi (Parma); Cerci (Roma), Momente (Inter-Milan). Subs: Acqafresca (Treviso) for Momente 57; Lupoli (Arsenal) for Cerci 71; Marsili (Roma) for Candreva 82.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Was anybody at this game & is anyone going to the others? Sounds like a good bunch of players & McCaffrey was very upbeat.

First hand reports & comment would be appreciated. I'd love to get a look at these guys.

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I've heard very impressive reports about Stapleton and Hayes at Reading. Both were involved in many of their pre-season friendlies. Also Clarke from Ipswich was excellent for them in their youth cup run last year and looks to have serious potential. Stokes had a good season last year for Arsenal reserves but hasn't been great so far this season but hopefully that'll change.

Rep of Ireland 2-0 Moldova 7.00
Hayes 30
Morris pen 51

Italy 0-0 North Ireland RES Midleton

Hayes goal supposed to be excellent according to the FAI website. Should be almost over. Morris set up the 2 goals in the last game and is supposed to be doing well on loan at Blackpool.

Rep of Ireland 3-0 Moldova RES
Hayes 30
Morris pen 51
O'Carroll 89
Stokes missed pen 90


Nice 'n tidy.

Ireland 3 — 0 Moldova

Hayes 30
Morris pen 50
O’Carroll 87

Ireland ensured the advanced to the second qualifying phase of the UEFA Cup U19 Championship with another hugely impressive performance against Moldova at St. Colman’s Park.

Ireland were full value for their three goals win and they lost a great chance of enhancing their goals tally still further when Anthony Stokes had a penalty attempt saved by goalkeeper Gaiduchevici in the final minute of the match.

The pity of it was that Stokes had an outstanding match and his leadership of the forward line helped set the standard for a team performance that was smooth and effective.

The quality of football produced by Ireland was marvellous for they were strong and forceful in defence, neat and accurate in their distribution from midfield and swift and persistent in attack.

There was little an ultra defensive Moldova could do to contain them. Once Jonathan Hayes opened the scoring in the 30th minute Ireland, dominated the game and processed their game plan with accurate, compelling football.

Hayes’ opening goal was a beauty. Stokes was lucky to be left free when a Moldova defender slipped as he attempted to intercept a throw from Darren Stapleton. His slick pass sent Hayes disco-dancing his way past a couple of defenders before he clipped the ball past the goalkeeper.

The second goal came from the penalty spot in the 50th minute. Moldova captain Casian was guilty of hand-ball and Ian Morris’ finish was emphatic.

Morris and Darron Gibson again formed an effective partnership in central midfield and they drove Ireland on for a third in the 87th minute. The goalkeeper did well to parry a shot from Stokes but then had no defence when substitute Diarmuid O’Carroll knocked in the loose ball.

Teams:

Republic of Ireland; Randolph (Charlton Athletic); S. Kelly (Arsenal), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), O'Dea (Celtic), Stapleton (Reading); J. P. Kelly (Bohemians), Gibson (Manchester Utd), Morris (Leeds Utd), Hayes (Reading); Stokes (Arsenal), Clarke (Ipswich Town). Subs: Chambers (Shelbourne) for Hayes 65; O'Brien (Celtic) for Clarke 70; O'Carroll (Celtic) for Morris 82.

Moldova: Gaiduchevici; Nosenco, Bulat, S. Cojocari, Berbinschi; Patras, A. Cojocari, Racu, Casian; Stginga, Suvorov. Subs; Cemirtan for Stinga 46; Zacon for Patras 75; Livandovschii for Cemirtan 78.

3-0 good result .What was the attendance at the Cross?

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Originally Posted by ccfcgirl

3-0 good result .What was the attendance at the Cross?

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Probably very small seeing as the match was played in Cobh!:rolleyes:

Rep of Ireland 3-1 Italy 7.00
Clarke 20,23 Cerci 55
Gibson 40

Latest

4-1 now, Nolan. Bloody hell this group has potential! Full time.

Rep of Ireland 4-1 Italy RES
Clarke 20,23 Cerci 55
Gibson 40 Marsili s/o90
Nolan 84

North Ireland 2-1 Moldova RES
Fordyce 77, 90 Racu 33

* Both Rep of Ireland and Northern
Ireland progress

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

4-1 now, Nolan. Bloody hell this group has potential! Full time.

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Must be the Manager;) :D

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Originally Posted by strangeirish

Must be the Manager;) :D

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hehe. :) This is an Italy squad which Arsenal's Lupoli can't make the team and Man Utd's Rossi can't even make the squad. Maybe Kerr got more credit than he deserved at underage level and its easy to manage the Irish underage teams. ;)

Not that surprising a result when you consider Ireland's U-19s played Italy twice earlier in the year in Italy, winning 2-0 and drawing 0-0. Could be just a bad crop for the Italians. Still, is it them through to the UEFA finals or is there another team as well? Good signs for the future anyway. Wonder if they'll continue their fine form when Don Givens gets hold of them at the next level up?:)

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Still, is it them through to the UEFA finals or is there another team as well?

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See: http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=371502&postcount=5

The Elite rounds have to be played. 1 team qualifies from each group in that and then its on to the finals. The FAI said we'll get an advantage by winning the group but in true UEFA/FIFA fashion, we don't find out that advantage until all teams have played their qualifiers.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Wonder if they'll continue their fine form when Don Givens gets hold of them at the next level up?:)

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These guys have got to be looked after. It's not good enough for the FAI to pat themselves on the back about this. The sad reality is that at least half of them probably won't get a look in at their clubs becase some guy from some obscure country will take their place so something must be done to help their progress.

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mpressive Irish advance unbeaten




Uefa Under-19 Championship, First phase qualifying/Republic of Ireland 4 Italy 1: The Republic of Ireland overcame treacherous conditions on a waterlogged Turner's Cross pitch last night to end their qualifying tournament with a handsome win over Italy and a perfect record from their three matches. They advanced as winners of their group to the second qualifying phase.

Ireland beat Northern Ireland and Moldova earlier this week, and they struck a peak of form despite the daunting conditions of driving rain and a flooded pitch to overwhelm Italy.

Ireland were sure-footed and adept despite the sodden surface. They showed remarkable technical ability, and the pace of their attack caused huge problems for Italy's powerful defenders.

Ireland played superb football and Italy were driven into deep defence as Darron Gibson and Ian Morris controlled central midfield and set up marvellous service for their four front-runners.

John Paul Kelly and Jonathan Hayes ran the flanks diligently, while Billy Clarke was sharp and incisive through the middle. And Anthony Stokes drew the attacking strands together to ensure the Irish attack was a coherent and progressive force.

A goal after 19 minutes was a huge encouragement. Stokes sent Clarke sprinting into the penalty area and he stepped inside a tackle from Rinaldi before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.

Cork-born Clarke gave the home fans further cause to cheer in the 23rd minute. Again the hard-working Stokes set it up with a pass inside for Kelly, whose shot was parried by goalkeeper Consigli. When the ball broke it fell kindly for Clarke to knock it home.

Ireland's first-half dominance was further illustrated with a third goal after 40 minutes. Gibson won a tackle in midfield and drove through to the penalty area. His left-foot chip took a deflection off a defender and dropped behind the goalkeeper and just under the bar.

It was a compelling performance and it was just a pity that a torrential downpour just before the interval left the pitch water-logged for the second half.

The conditions were directly responsible for Italy's goal in the 55th minute. Edward Nolan turned and attempted to play the ball back to goalkeeper Darren Randolph from 25 yards. The ball only travelled a couple of yards before it stuck in the mud and Alessio Cerci reacted quickest to take the ball on and drive it home from 12 yards.

Ireland's overall excellence was undoubted and their superiority scarcely challenged as Italy were clearly second best. Nolan confirmed Ireland's superiority when he drove home the fourth goal in the 85th minute following a right wing corner from Kelly.

Italy's heavy defeat, coupled with a 2-1 for Northern Ireland over Moldova in Cobh, ensured that it was the North who advanced with the Republic to the second phase next May.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph (Charlton Ath); Kelly (Arsenal), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), O'Dea (Celtic), Stapleton (Reading); JP Kelly (Bohemians), Gibson (Manchester United), Morris (Leeds), Hayes (Reading); Stokes (Arsenal), Clarke (Ipswich Town). Subs: O'Brien (Celtic) for Clarke (72 mins), Chambers (Shelbourne) for Hayes (76 mins), O'Carroll (Celtic) for Stokes (86 mins).

ITALY: Consigli (Atalanta Berg); Ungaro (Reggina), Rinaldi (Udinese), Freddi (Roma), Rossi (Parma); Semenzato (Inter Milan), Dessena (Parma), Prevete (Empoli), Candreva (Ternana), Savi (Parma); Momente (Inter Milan). Subs: Cerci (Roma) for Semenzato (30 mins), Lupoli (Arsenal) for Momente (57 mins), Marsili (Roma) for Candreva (63 mins).

Referee: R Malek (Poland).

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/spo...TROUSSIER.html

© The Irish Times

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well its some positive news i guess seeing that the U-21's arent doing so well. who do they now face in the second round ?

The 7 teams (plus hosts Poland) that qualify for the U19 finals will also play in the World Youth Championships in 2007 so its important we get there.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/und...ngs/index.html

Not totally up to date but will give you an idea

So the top 2 (NI ousted Italy!!) from each of the 12 groups go through, as does the best third-placed team (probably Hungary) and the three top-ranked teams (looks like England, Spain and the Czech Republic) to the next phase, which is seven groups of four, with the winners qualifying for the finals.

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Man Utd's Rossi can't even make the squad.

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Can't make the squad or pulled out by his club?

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Originally Posted by Schumi

Can't make the squad or pulled out by his club?

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I read somewhere he was hoping to be called up for this competition. The thing about Rossi is that he is an American, born in New Jersey to Italian parents and moved to Italy when he was 13. The US called him up for the Youth World Cup earlier this year but he declined saying he was waiting for the Italian callup which has not materialized. There are now rumers in the US that he may declare for the US afterall. Italy has a history of not calling up players who don't play in Italy e.g. Zola.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

So the top 2 (NI ousted Italy!!) from each of the 12 groups go through, as does the best third-placed team (probably Hungary) and the three top-ranked teams (looks like England, Spain and the Czech Republic) to the next phase, which is seven groups of four, with the winners qualifying for the finals.

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As regards the draw for next 7 group phase, how well are we seeded for that? Pot 1 seeds?
From the Examiner
"Having won their group Ireland go into the draw as seeds and will come out of the hat with one fellow group winner and two runners-up. Only one team will progress from that group for the finals in Poland next summer."

Yeah, that sounds about right. You can't really have world rankings at underage level as the teams change so quickly, so group winners and runners-up seems the fairest method. Top three plus the eleven best of the twelve group winners as top seeds, with everyone else second seeds? Two first seeds and two second seeds in a group?

I sent the FAI an e-mail praising their reports on the U19s and it seems I wasn't the only one. :)

http://www.fai.ie/article.asp?hlid=3...avlid=&sublid=

It would be great if our U19s could host the qualifying group too.

Best of luck to both sides in their attempts to qualify.

They wouldn't have to do articles like that if they actually updated the squad sections of the website.

U19 Squad Profiles

Does someone actually get paid to work on that site?

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Originally Posted by pete

They wouldn't have to do articles like that if they actually updated the squad sections of the website.

U19 Squad Profiles

Does someone actually get paid to work on that site?

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From what I can remember the maintainence of the site was transfered sometime last year as part of the deal with SKY but I can't find anything about it on the net.