Scales play his part in Ireland U-21 win
LIAM Scales was required for the final 15 minutes as the ten-men Irish under-21s maintained their 2021 European Championship qualification push with a 1-0 in Armenia last week.
Scales was brought on in defence by manager Stephen Kenny, following the dismissal of Dara O’Shea and in the absence of Lee O’Connor and Conor Masterson, while fellow County Wicklow-native Simon Power was an unused substitute.
Ireland went into the game missing several of their first-choice stars, including the aforementioned O’Connor and Masterson, as well as Troy Parrott — who scored the winner in the reverse fixture back in September — Caoimhin Kellegher, Jayson Molumby, Michael Obafemi, and Neil Farrugia.
Kenny’s men overcame these setbacks, however, and came away from Armenia with a priceless three points ahead of their crunch clash against Sweden on Tuesday night.
Waterford’s Zack Elbouzedi would be the Irish hero on the night, with his goal from a good cross by Adam Idah on 63 minutes.
It was another good performance from Scales and company, who were rarely seriously tested by their hosts. Meanwhile, Zack Elbouzedi was a constant menace down the left-hand side, and was good value for his goal.
Ireland would lose Dara O’Shea to a sending off by way of a second bookable offence, leading to the introduction of Scales, but they had enough to weather the limited Armenian storm in the final 15 minutes to come away with their fourth win from six games.
The result leaves them top of their qualification group; three points ahead of Italy, who have two games in hand.