Three in a row bid dies for Ireland
VICTORY SHIELD
Republic of Ireland 0 Scotland 0
THE Republic of Ireland’s bid for a three in-a-row in the Victory Shield failed to materialise at Mounthawk Park on Friday afternoon when a draw against Scotland was not enough and Northern Ireland were crowned Champions after a 3-1 win over Wales..
The other game between Northern Ireland and Wales was scheduled to be played at Tralee Dynamos pitch at Cahermoneen at the same time but it failed a pitch inspection due to heavy overnight rain and the game was switched to the second astro turf pitch at Mounthawk Park and now the two crucial games were played adjacent to each other. A huge crowd turned out for the big game and a great atmosphere prevailed.
Ireland were going into this game on a high after defeating Wales 4-0 on Wednesday evening with their goals coming from Oliver O’Neill (2), Andrew Moran and Louie Barry.
They had to defeat Scotland and hope that Northern Ireland would be held to a draw by Wales if they were to retain the title. The Republic have only themselves to blame for not winning their game as they squandered a litany of great scoring opportunities including a penalty kick.
They had an early chance, but Oliver O’Neill’s effort on goal was taken off the line. They got a free on the verge of the box in the sixth minute and Ben McCormack’s shot was pushed over the top by the Scotland goalie.
Louie Barry had two chances to put them ahead with his first shot blocked from six yards, while he put his second effort inches outside the far post. At halftime in the other game Northern Ireland were leading Wales 2-0 with goals from Orrin McLaughlin and Vicky Salanmo.
The Republic of Ireland had another good chance early in the second half when Oliver O’Neill set up Ben McCormack but he shot over the top.
They were only a fraction away from scoring in the 58th minute when Adam Wells played in Louie Barry, but his low shot came back off the butt of the near post and travelled across the goals and was scrambled to safety.
Now in the other game Wales pulled one back against Northern Ireland with a Siyabonga Ligedenza goal and tension was building up for spectators as they sensed that Ireland could still secure the result they required.
However they blew any chance they had of getting the result they needed shortly afterwards with a penalty miss. The excellent Louie Barry was taken down inside the box and referee Ray Matthews pointed to the spot.
Barry drilled his shot low but it was outside the right hand post and now Ireland knew it was not going to be their day.
Then Northern Ireland scored their third goal in injury time with an Euen Williams penalty and they were crowned very worthy champions.
The Republic of Ireland boss Paul Osam speaking after the game said he was very happy with the way the team played but they just could not finish up front.
“We had several chances to score in both halves but luck was not on our side on the day if we scored one we could have got four or five.
“I could not have asked any more from the players our diamond shape worked very well.”
He said everyone involved with the team were given the best of hospitality by the KDL as well as the Park and Tralee Dynamos clubs who made their pitches available to host the games.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Daniel Rose, Gavin O’Brien, Oisin Hand, CJ Egan-Riley, Colin Conroy, Ben McCormack (Andrew Moran 74) Sinclair Armstrong, Louie Barry, Adam Wells, Oliver O’Neill, Jamie Doyle
REFEREE: Ray Matthews