U16s complete Victory Shield campaign…16/11/2018

Our U16 side completed their 2018 Victory Shield campaign with a scoreless draw against Scotland at the home of Tralee Dynamos FC in Cahermoneen this Friday afternoon. Ireland dominated much of the contest but could not find the finishing touch to secure victory. Head Coach Paul Osam was quite effusive in his praise of the players who recovered from their opening day defeat by Northern Ireland to defeat Wales, which coupled with this afternoon’s draw sees them finish in second place.

Ireland deliver another dismal display…15/11/2018

Manager Martin O’Neill presided over another dismal display from his Ireland selection in tonight’s friendly encounter with Northern Ireland, which ended scoreless in the Aviva Stadium. Veteran midfielder Glenn Whelan captained Ireland on his 85th appearance and was far from the weakest performer during his thirty five minutes on the pitch. Our Northern Ireland visitors were much superior in every position save goalkeeper, where ‘Man of the Match’ Darren Randolph was Ireland’s saviour with three exceptional saves. It is difficult to find some positives from this evening’s efforts, save that injury returnees Robbie Brady and Seamus Coleman completed ninety minutes, which should aid their return to full fitness. Playing on an unfamiliar left hand side, John Egan was the best of the three centre backs, with Shane Duffy not at his best and Darragh Lenihan disappointing. In midfield, Conor Hourihane replaced the aforementioned Whelan and together with Jeff Hendrick was anonymous throughout. Brady showed his rustiness, perhaps not surprising following his lengthy injury absence, but did deliver some excellent free kicks and corners. Wing backs Seamus Coleman and James McClean offered little, with the latter being particularly disappointing. Lone striker Callum Robinson battled gamely but without real support could offer little while Callum O’Dowda shipped some heavy early tackles and was withdrawn at half-time. Save for Randolph, the only other positive on the night was the substitute appearance of Ronan Curtis, who replaced O’Dowda and provided more vim and vigour coupled with decent technical ability than the majority of his team mates. Sean Maguire was introduced from the bench on sixty six minutes but only survived for twelve minutes before a hamstring injury forced his substitution and absence from the Denmark match on Monday evening. Enda Stevens was also a sixty sixth minute left wing back substitute and brought some improvement to that area of the pitch. Michael Obafemi was confined to the substitute bench, perhaps no bad thing on the night, given the general poverty of performance. In his post match interview, Martin O’Neill did hint at the possibility of the young Southampton striker seeing some game time in Aarhus on Monday evening.  

Obafemi saga creates unnecessary controversy…15/11/2018

Every form of media outlet involved with Irish football is currently awash with the Michael Obafemi story. Manager Martin O’Neill stated at yesterday’s press conference that the eighteen year old Southampton striker would be considered for selection in the friendly encounter with Northern Ireland this evening but would not be involved in the competitive Denmark encounter on Monday night as the triple nation qualified teenager might need time to consider his international position. There followed a whole plethora of on line comment and observation, some of which was of a quite vitriolic bent. Michael’s representatives have this morning announced that the youngster was committed to Ireland and at no time had consideration been given to representing another country. We await the next stage of this very avoidable debacle with some trepidation. We can but hope that Michael is Aarhus and not Southampton bound on Saturday. 

U18s defeat Belgium in Tournament opener…15/11/2018

Our U18 side defeated Belgium by two goals to one in their opening contest of the Invitation Tournament taking place in Murcia, Spain this week. Ireland took an early lead through Glasgow Celtic midfielder Barry Coffey, who captained the side today. Belgium equalised on the half-hour mark  through a penalty but Ireland won this very competitive encounter with their second half penalty, converted by Aston Villa striker Tyriek Wright.In the other opening fixture, Holland and England played out a two all draw.
We next face England, again in the Pinatar Arena, at 1pm (Irish time) on Saturday afternoon. 

Senior squad complete training at the NTC…14/11/2018

Twenty eight players participated in this morning’s training session at the NTC in Abbotstown as the squad completed preparations for tomorrow evening’s friendly encounter with Northern Ireland in the Aviva Stadium. Matt Doherty has withdrawn from the squad following the head injury incurred with his club last weekend. Glenn Whelan will captain Ireland tomorrow night in his eighty fifth and probably final international appearance, although the Aston Villa midfielder has not formally retired and remains available should his country ever need him. Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that teenage Southampton striker Michael Obafemi, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria and England, will be considered for action tomorrow night but will not be involved in the competitive match against Denmark on Monday evening. 

U16s crush Wales in Victory Shield encounter…14/11/2018

Head Coach Paul Osam saw his U16 side restore pride with a crushing four nil defeat of Wales in their second contest of this year’s Victory Shield, played in Mounthawk Park, Tralee this Wednesday afternoon. First half goals from Louie Barry (West Bromwich Albion) and Oliver O’Neill (Fulham) set Ireland on their way and two second half goals from Andrew Moran (Bray Wanderers) and O’Neill again completed an excellent performance. 

U17s suffer defeat by Germany…14/11/2018

Our U17 side suffered a comprehensive four one defeat by Germany in their final match of the Invitation Tournament which took place in Dublin over the past six days. Following their earlier defeats by England and the Czech Republic, this afternoon’s humbling defeat leaves Head Coach Colin O’Brien with much food for thought. Germany were always in command this afternoon, with Matt Everitt’s goal mere consolation in an otherwise dispiriting performance.