Republic of Ireland Under 16's
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Republic of Ireland Under 16's |
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Republic of Ireland Win Ballymena Tournament Final
In the final of the Ballymena Under 16 International Tournament on Friday 27th April, Group B winners the Republic of Ireland won 3 - 0 over Northern Ireland, the winners of Group A. Congratulations to manager Vincent Butler and his squad which included Belvedere's Paul Corry and Neil Harney.
Republic of Ireland U16 3 - 0 Northern Ireland U16
Gerard Kinsella 41
Jay Wallace 49
Karl Sheppard 64
Vincent Butler’s team rocked the tournament hosts with three second half goals
to conclude a week which saw them also inflict defeats upon the Czech Republic
and the USA as well as claiming a vital draw against Scotland.
Following a tense first-half between the two group winners where few openings
were created, Ireland snatched the lead within forty seconds of the second half
kicking off.
A free-kick was nodded on by John Dunleavy and following in at the back-post it
was Gerard Wallace who directed the ball into the net with a diving header.
His Everton colleague, Jay Wallace, made it 2-0 eight minutes later by supplying
another headed goal, this time from a corner which the hosts failed to deal
with.
Ireland’s third goal was sourced through another set-piece - Aaron Doran’s
corner finding it’s way across the penalty area for Shelbourne striker Karl
Sheppard to poke the ball in from close range.
Ireland manager Vincent Butler paid tribute to his players in the wake of their
title win. Tonight’s final was the last of 17 fixtures played by the team over
the course of the past eight months.
“This success was the culmination of a season long of hard work,” said
Butler. “We have really enjoyed the week of football at Ballymena and the
performance of the team will boost their confidence as they look towards
preparing for next season’s UEFA Under-17 qualifying series under manager Sean
McCaffrey.”
The first phase of next season’s UEFA Under-17 qualifiers will be staged in
Ireland during September when Ukraine, Denmark and Slovenia will compete with
the Irish for the top two qualifying places on offer for the second qualifying,
Elite phase of the competition.
Republic of Ireland team:
Harry Lee - Charlton Athletic
Richie Towell - Crumlin United
John Dunleavy – Ballybofey United
Niall Byrne - Home Farm
Conor Hourihane – Douglas Hall
Aaron Doran – Blackburn Rovers
Conor Clifford – Crumlin United
Gerard Kinsella - Everton
Jay Wallace - Everton
Greg Cunningham – Mervue United
Karl Sheppard - Shelbourne
SUBSTITUTES:
Jason Hughes (Geraldines), David Heagney (Huddersfield) and Paul Corry
(Belvedere) for Wallace, Sheppard and Cunningham (All 72 mins).
Mark Connolly (Monaghan Utd), Chris Oldfield (Liverpool) and Neil Harney
(Belvedere) for Byrne, Lee and Kinsella (All 79 mins).
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Republic of Ireland Qualify for Ballymena Final 2007
Well done to the Republic Ireland Under 16's on qualifying for the final of the Ballymena International Tournament with a 2 - 1 win over USA at Inver Park, Larne on Wednesday 25th April as Group B winners.
Belvedere's Paul Corry and Neil Harney both played in Ireland's 3rd match in as many days. Unfortunately Neil was forced to retire injured just before the half time break.
Ireland lead 2 - 0 thanks to goals from Greg Cunningham (18 minutes) and
Conor Clifford (31 minutes ) from a penalty, while USA pulled a goal back
on 37 minutes.
Paul Corry played his part in securing Ireland's win in the second half with a great team performance, to deny the USA's efforts to equalise.
The final is on Friday 27th April at the Ballymena Showgrounds against the hosts Northern Ireland, who topped Group A, following their 1 - 0 win over Switzerland on Wednesday.
Republic of Ireland Team
Chris Oldfield - Liverpool
Neil Harney - Belvedere
John Dunleavy – Ballybofey United
Mark Connolly – Monaghan United
Conor Hourihane – Douglas Hall
Aaron Doran – Blackburn Rovers
Conor Clifford – Crumlin United
Paul Corry - Belvedere
Conor Henderson - Arsenal
Greg Cunningham – Mervue United
Karl Sheppard - Shelbourne
SUBSTITUTES:
Richie Towell (Crumlin United) for Harney (40 mins), Niall Byrne (Home Farm) and
Jason Hughes (Geraldines) for Connolly and Doran (both 41 mins).
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Ballymena International Tournament 2007
Belvedere's Paul Corry has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under 16's squad for the Ballymena Tournament next week. He joins his club mate Neil Harney in the squad as the Irish face Group B opponents, Czech Republic, USA and Scotland in the group stages. The Czech Republic are the 2005 & 2006 Ballymena Champions while the USA are the 2005 & 2006 Ballymena runners-up.
Talented mid-fielder Corry replaces the injured Gearoid
Morrissey ( Ringmahon Rangers ) in the squad while Monaghan United's defender
Mark Connolly comes in for Kallum Keane who picked up an injury in training with
his club, Derby County.
The Republic of Ireland will open their campaign on Monday, April 23rd when they meet the Czech Republic at Inver Park, Larne ( kick-off 7.30pm ). On Tuesday Ireland play Scotland at the Ballymena Showgrounds (kick-off 8pm), before their final Group 2 match with USA on Wednesday at Inver Park, Larne (kick-off 7.30pm).
Competing for the honours in Group A will be Switzerland, Israel, Finland and the hosts Northern Ireland.
The Group winners will meet in the Final on Friday 27th April.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Harry Lee- Charlton Atheltic
Chris Oldfield – Liverpool
Niall Byrne - Home Farm
Richie Towell - Crumlin United
John Dunleavy - Ballybofey United
Mark Connolly – Monaghan United
Neil Harney - Belvedere
Aaron Doran - Blackburn Rovers
Conor Henderson - Arsenal
Conor Clifford - Crumlin United
Paul Corry - Belvedere
Conor Hourihane - Douglas Hall
Greg Cunningham - Mervue United
Gerard Kinsella - Everton
Jason Hughes- Geraldines
David Heagney - Huddersfield Town
James Wallace - Everton
Karl Sheppard -Shelbourne
Manager
Vincent Butler
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Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 Northern Ireland
Wednesday 25th October 2006
Vincent Butler’s side got off to a
flying start as they took the game to their opponents early on. After six
minutes, Karl Sheppard had a glorious opportunity to score the opening goal as
he raced onto a Satelle through ball but his effort was saved low-down by the
Northern Ireland keeper.
Mervue United’s Greg Cunningham caused the Northern defence a lot of problems
early on and after only ten minutes his cross to the back post was headed just
wide by the un-marked David O’Brien.
Northern Ireland should have been a goal in front just before the break, a swift
counter-attack from defence set Michael McCrudden up for a one-on-one with Ger
Hanley in the Irish goal. McCrudden’s rushed shot narrowly passed Hanley’s
post to the relief of the home support.
Greg Cunningham put the Republic a goal in front after 50 minutes, the Northern
Ireland defence lost their concentration after being awarded advantage following
a Republic offside which allowed Cunningham collect the ball in the Northern
Ireland box and slammed home from close range.
Vincent Butler’s side doubled their advantage five minutes later. A long ball
from defence caught Northern Ireland off-guard and substitute, David Ladola’s
headed through ball found Satelle just outside the six yard box and slotted past
the helpless keeper.
Northern Ireland pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. Striker, Lee McCaughern
was put through on the Irish goal and he stroked the ball past Hanley to make
the score 2-1.
As the game came to a close, Northern Ireland pushed players forward for the
elusive equaliser but the Republic’s defence were well disciplined and held
out for a well deserved victory.
Republic of Ireland
Ger Hanley (Salthill Devon)
Richie Towell (Crumlin United)
Michael O’Connor (Crumlin United)
Gavin McArdle (Home Farm)
Andy Boyle (Crumlin United)
David Cawley (Ballina Town)
David O’Brien (Crumlin United)
Paul Corry (Belvedere)
Karl Sheppard (Shelbourne)
Darragh Satelle (Celtic)
Greg Cunningham (Mervue United)
Substitutes
Stephen Last (Lourdes Celtic) on for Cawley, 71 Mins
John-Ross Bodkin (Mervue United) on for Sheppard, 71 Mins
David Ladola (Belvedere) on for O’Brien, 53 Mins
John Smyth (Muirhevnamor) on for Satelle, 60 Mins
Mark Connors (Crumlin United) on for Hanley, 78 Mins
Jason Hughes (Geraldines) on for Cunningham, 68 Mins
Republic of Ireland 0 - 2 Northern Ireland
Tuesday 24th October 2006
Republic of Ireland captain, Conor Clifford was unlucky not to
break the deadlock after 13 minutes, Clifford’s 25 yard strike went narrowly
over the bar following some patient Irish build up on the edge of the box.
Northern Ireland were in the lead after only 20 minutes when a free kick on the
right wing was swung into the unmarked Conor McLaughlin whose powerful header
beat Harry Lee in the Irish goal.
Vincent Butler’s side had the opportunity to equalise just before half-time;
Niall Byrne’s cross from the right wing caused hesitancy in the Northern
Ireland box and Aaron Doran’s snap-shot went narrowly wide of the right hand
post.
The Republic of Ireland got off to a flying start after the break with a superb
finish from Ipswich Town’s Paul Murphy after 49 minutes. Aaron Doran punished
the Northern defence for their slack defending from a corner to set-up Murphy
who gave the keeper no chance with a shot low and hard to the keepers left.
Ten minutes later, Conor Clifford almost grabbed the lead for the Republic. Mark
Power's long throw-in eluded the Northern Ireland defence and Clifford
controlled the high-ball neatly but his shot was just wide of the post.
Northern Ireland scored the decisive goal on 68 minutes when high cross drifted
in from the right wing found its way to substitute Daniel Kearns, whose
half-volley from 10 yards out hit the top-left hand corner of the net, giving
Harry Lee no chance in the Republics’ goal.
The Republic of Ireland pressed forward in search of an equaliser late on but
the Northern Ireland defence stood firm for a dramatic victory in Whitehall.
The two sides will meet again tomorrow as the Republic of Ireland “B” side
will be looking to overturn tonight’s defeat against Northern Ireland “B”
at 12.30 pm at Home Farm FC, Whitehall.
Republic of Ireland
Harry Lee (Charlton Athletic)
Niall Byrne (Home Farm)
Mark Power (Aston Villa)
Mark Connolly (Monaghan United)
John Dunleavy (Ballybofey United)
Conor Clifford (C) (Crumlin United)
Callum O’Shea (Charlton Athletic)
Gearoid Morrissey (Ringmahon Rangers)
Joe Mason (Plymouth Argyle)
Paul Murphy (Ipswich Town)
Aaron Doran ((Blackburn Rovers)
Subs
Danny Joyce (Belvedere) on for Power, 73 Mins
Robert Brady (St. Kevins) on for O’Shea, 49 Mins
Conor Hourihane (Douglas Hall)
Shane Howard (Crumlin United) on for Power, 80 Mins
Gavin Carlin (Curragh Athletic) on for Lee, 73 Mins
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Under 16 Double Friendly International
The Republic of Ireland Under 16's travel to play Belgium in two friendly international matches on Tuesday 4th and Thursday 6th April 2006.
Manager Vincent Butler has named an 18 man squad including Belvedere's Daniel Langan and Kevin Dawson.
Kevin returns to the squad having impressed in last months International friendly against Northern Ireland in Oriel Park, Dundalk.
Fixtures:
Tuesday 4th April : Belgium v Republic of Ireland, K.R.C Mechelen Stadium, Kick Off: 19.00hrs
Thursday 6th April: Belgium v Republic of Ireland, K.R.C Mechelen Stadium, Kick Off: 19.00hrs
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Ireland beat Norway in final match in U16 tournament
Republic of Ireland 3 - 2 Norway
The Republic of Ireland U16 team beat Norway 3-2 to end their programme in the four-team tournament in France unbeaten.
Ireland finished second in the tournament when they were pipped by France for the top spot after France beat Portugal 2-0 in their final match.
Previously Ireland had drawn with France and had also drawn with Portugal.
Ireland, managed by Vinny Butler, raced into a two goals lead against Norway. Michael Collins (Cherry Orchard) and Ian Daly (Home Farm) scored for them in the first eleven minutes of the match.
Ireland looked the better team for long spells but could not add to their advantage. They were caught when Norway scored twice in a lively final ten minutes to the match.
Ireland recovered from the shock, however, and in added time they snatched a deserved when Craig Duggan chipped the ball over the Norwegian goalkeeper for a marvellous winning goal.
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Ireland's U16 squad for French tournament
Republic of Ireland U16 Manager, Vincent Butler announced an 18-man squad which will compete in an International Tournament to be held in Val de Marne, France from the 23rd-30th October.
Among the teams taking part in the four team tournament are Norway, Portugal and tournament hosts, France.
Tuesday 25th October:
Portugal V Republic of Ireland, Stade Auguste Delaune, kick-off: 16.00hrs (local time)
Thursday 27th October:
France V Republic of Ireland, Stade Clerville, kick-off: 16.00 hrs (local time)
Saturday 29th October:
Republic of Ireland V Norway, Stade Leo Lagrange, kick-off: 14.00 hrs (local-time)
Republic of Ireland Squad
Ian Daly Home Farm
Niall McArdle Home Farm
Eric Foley Home Farm
James Doyle Home Farm
Mark Nolan Shelbourne
Dean Marshall Shelbourne
James O’Brien Cherry Orchard
Michael Collins Cherry Orchard
Daniel Langan Belvedere
Conor Clifford Crumlin United
Kevin O’Brien Douglas Hall
Paul Honohan Wilton United
Craig Duggan Kilreen Celtic
David Joyce Castlebar Celtic
Conor McCormack Belurgan
Gary Frewen St. Michaels-Tipperary
Kieron Thorp Charlton Athletic
Adrian Moyles Queens Park Rangers
Manager: Vincent Butler