Quigley stars in opening draw

A hugely depleted and very inexperienced Republic of Ireland Under 21 team took the field in the Barreiros Municipal Stadium, Funchal this afternoon to face the hosts in the Madeira Cup. The side included five players from the Eircom League for the opening tie in a competition which Ireland had been successful in on their previous visit in 2004.

The Irish team which had only arrived the previous day took some time to settle and were grateful for the exploits of goalkeeper Darren Quigley during the first half. The UCD net minder brought off two marvellous saves in the opening period and was a solid presence in the Irish defence throughout the encounter. Ireland gradually came to terms with their surroundings and began to build a degree of rapport on the pitch in what was a keenly contested first half.

Manager Don Givens introduced eighteen year olds, Jonathan Hayes of Reading and Glasgow Celtic’s Diarmuid O’Carroll for Roy O’Donovan and Stephen Ward at the start of the second half. The home side opened brightly and came close from a dangerous cross. Madeira then took the lead on 59 minutes when left back Patricio, ventured forward and struck an unstoppable twenty yard shot to the net. Undaunted, Ireland responded and were unlucky when a fine effort from Newcastle United winger Alan O’Brien was saved by the goalkeeper. Ireland persevered and Kerry native, O’Carroll was just wide with another fine effort.

The equaliser arrived in the 78th minute courtesy of Reading flyer Hayes and was no more than Ireland deserved. The home side made repeated efforts to regain the lead but Ireland remained steadfast and looked in control of matters thereafter. Ireland suffered a blow five minutes from the end when Fulham’s Michael Timlin was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Notwithstanding Timlin’s departure, Ireland almost secured victory in the final moments when seventeen year old Arsenal starlet, Anthony Stokes, a 73rd minute substitute for O’Brien, struck the crossbar with a thumping free kick.

Team
Darren Quigley (UCD);
Keith Keane (Luton Town), Richard Keogh (Bristol City), Christopher Deans (Waterford United), James Hand (Huddersfield Town);
Roy O’Donovan (Cork City), Gary Dicker (UCD), Michael Timlin (Fulham), Alan O’Brien (Newcastle United);
Stephen Ward (Bohemians), Andrew Keogh (Scunthorpe United)

Substitutes
Jonathan Hayes (Reading) for O’Donovan 46 minutes
Diarmuid O’Carroll (Glasgow Celtic) for Ward 46 minutes
Kevin O’Connor (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Dicker 61 minutes
Derek Tyrell (Drogheda United) for Deans 61 minutes
Anthony Stokes (Arsenal) for O’Brien 73 minutes