LIVE: Republic of Ireland 1 v 0 Madeira

[Born A Rebel]

Kevin Doyle has given Ireland a 23rd minute lead in their clash with a Madeira selection in the Under 21 Madeira International Tournament.

The Cork City front man finished confidently with a powerful left foot drive from a tight angle after been put clean through by Liam Kearney to give Ireland a deserved lead in a game that they have totally dominated.

Ireland's midfield of Willo Flood, Glenn Whelan, Paul Keegan and Liam Kearney is in complete command and regularly finding gaps in the Madeira back line, though so far, the hosts defence is stretched but coping with defender Ruben Rodrigues making several important interceptions.

Madeira too have been forced to concede a lot of free kicks in their own half as defenders lunge into rash challenges though, apart from a Whelan free kick that was punched to safety by Adriano Costa, Ireland have yet to make anything of their set-pieces.

Before Doyle's opening goal, Ireland's best opportunity was a Stephen Kelly cross-shot that few across the six-yard box after Flood's insightful pass had put him through on goal.

The hosts have not threatened so far, though with their attack minded 4-3-3 system, they will not be content to sit back and defend.

Ireland are currently level on points with Portugal who face Italy today at 12:15 and manager Don Givens believes that a victory over Madeira will put sufficient pressure on Portugal to also beat an Italian side determined not to finish the tournament with the wooden spoon.


The boys are doing us proud!!!!

[liamon]

Fai.ie :
A Kevin Doyle brace has given Ireland a 2-0 lead at half time... :

Lets hope he keeps this form up for the coming season.

[SÓC]

We got a peno and Whelan missed it! Should have let Super Kev take it to get his hattrick!

Don Givens has been sent off!

www.fai.ie

[Colm]

Our lads are running the show. Nice one.

[NorthoftheLee]

COme on the City Boys.........no way should whealan have taken that peno..............SUPER SUPER KEV, SUPER SUPER KEV, SUPER SUPER KEV, SUPER KEVIN DOYLER!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peadar]

Ireland won 4-0 with Flood and Paisley adding to a brace from Super Kev. Portugal have to beat Italy by 4 goals or more now.

[Robinski]

Brilliant result! Would loved to have seen it.

[Born A Rebel]

Originally posted by Robinski
Brilliant result! Would loved to have seen it.

TV3 Will probably show highlights of it

[Robinski]

Originally posted by Born A Rebel
TV3 Will probably show highlights of it

Do you think they'll show Givens being sent off? According to the FAI site the referee over-reacted.

[Dodge]

Shame it wasn't a full international for Doyle and Paisley

[Colm]

Originally posted by xtreme rebel
at this rate we may not have doyler for long! !

That's the wrong attitude to take. Surely a player can have international success and remain being a star for City.
A lot of people were saying the same thing when Flynny scored a few for the u21's but he's still with us....

[SÓC]

Originally posted by Dodge
Paisley

He has an excellent record for scoring goals for a defender.

As for Doyler, Brian Kerr said on the radio the morning of the Brazil that Doyler was one of the up and coming talents in Irish football.

Fair play to Liam Kearney too. He picked himself up quite well from the let down that was the U20 World Cup. Showed Jerry Smith what he was missing.

[eoinh]

Whats ironic is that no matter how good Flynn, Doyle , Kearney or Paisley play in international football for the Under 21 side they will never get full international recognition. They eclipse their english based brethern but wont be considered for the full squad unlike the guys they eclipse - daft.

paisley was irelands best player at the world youth cup. he scores again today (and hes a defender) yet he wont be considered.

[Colm]

Originally posted by eoinh
Whats ironic is that no matter how good Flynn, Doyle , Kearney or Paisley play in international football for the Under 21 side they will never get full international recognition. They eclipse their english based brethern but wont be considered for the full squad unlike the guys they eclipse - daft.

paisley was irelands best player at the world youth cup. he scores again today (and hes a defender) yet he wont be considered.

Yeah, you're spot on there Eoin.
It makes you wonder why that is the case though and why people accept this.
I'm of the belief that John O'Flynn is good enough to play for Ireland and should be considered. When you look at the likes of Morrison, Doherty, Connolly, Lee etc. playing for Ireland it makes you sick that the likes of Flynny hasn't been given a chance.

[eoinh]

Originally posted by Colm

I'm of the belief that John O'Flynn is good enough to play for Ireland and should be considered.

i believe that too. say that to people who have never seen him play and they will laugh.
the man doesnt need two touches of the ball in front of goal. he will score at any level he plays in.

hes still elegible for the under 21's this season isnt he?

distinct possibility of having three city players in the ireland u-21 team this year

[pete]

Originally posted by eoinh
hes still elegible for the under 21's this season isnt he?

Don't think he is anymore.

Soon city won't be far off fielding a team of current & former u-21 internationals.

Coughlan, O'Halloran, Doyle, O'Flynn, Fenn, Kearney....?

[Colm]

Originally posted by pete
Soon city won't be far off fielding a team of current & former u-21 internationals.

Coughlan, O'Halloran, Doyle, O'Flynn, Fenn, Kearney....?

You can add Billy Woods in there aswell....

Anyone else?

[Breifne]

Originally posted by Colm
You can add Billy Woods in there aswell....

Anyone else?

Think i've you go back a little bit you might find the name of one Mr. Patrick Dolan on a U-21 International teamsheet, even wearing the captains armband at one stage.

[Slash/ED]

Originally posted by eoinh
Whats ironic is that no matter how good Flynn, Doyle , Kearney or Paisley play in international football for the Under 21 side they will never get full international recognition. They eclipse their english based brethern but wont be considered for the full squad unlike the guys they eclipse - daft.

paisley was irelands best player at the world youth cup. he scores again today (and hes a defender) yet he wont be considered.

While I agree with most of that, to be a bit pedantic, imo Elliot was by far our best player at that tournament. Real potential star for the future.

[Counting Crow]

What makes it even more impressive is that the LoI players have only played a few friendlies against inferior opposition during the past few weeks whereas the, supposidly, better English based players are at their peak at this stage of their season......

.........makes you wonder, doesn't.