Parrott sent off as Ireland hold out to share spoils
Parrott sees red as sides share spoils
TROY PARROTT saw red last night against Italy but Ireland were worthy of their draw against their Euro U21s rivals at Tallaght Stadium.
This stalemate against the top seeds maintains an unbeaten start in the campaign for Stephen Kenny’s side, who stay top of their group heading into Tuesday’s visit to Iceland.
They might even have grabbed a memorable win late on against the pool’s top seeds when captain Jayson Molumby saw his freekick turned over.
Parrott had been dismissed on 63 minutes for a second yellow card in an incident that saw Moise Kean issued a straight red.
Five-time champions Italy almost snatched the lead on 17 minutes when Andrea Pinamonti headed wide.
With that scare survived, Ireland began to get a grip in key areas. Two minutes later, a long punt by Caoimhin Kelleher set Adam Idah off on a run at goal. Despite getting the ball caught under his feet, he managed to lay the ball off to Molumby who had Parrott for support. The Tottenham star had to turn to get his shot away but managed to force Marco Carnesecchi into a save.
Six minutes later, the Italian goalkeeper was again worked.
A flowing move from left to right saw Molumby find Ihah with his back to goal and he, in turn, fed the unmarked Connor Ronan. His rasping shot from just outside of the box was spilled Carnesecchi, forcing Alessandro Bastoni to clear.
Italy took drastic action by introducing €60m worth of talent in Kean and Cutrone at the interval.
Still, Parrott came closest to breaking the deadlock with a 52nd-minute strike which fizzed a yard wide.
Then came the game’s flashpoint on 63 minutes. After Kean fouled Conor Coventry in the centre circle, Parrott went to retrieve the loose ball, much to the substitute’s annoyance.
Both had a shove at each other, Parrott left clutching his mouth as a result. Referee Sascha Stegemann didn’t waste much time in brandishing cards to each, leaving both teams with 10 men for the final half hour.