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| Defences dominate in Dutch stalemate | |||||
| Fifteen players pulled on the green shirt of Ireland for the first time when they made their Under 15 International debuts against Holland at Home Farm FC, Whitehall tonight. Vincent Butler's first team selection at this age group for the 2006/2007 season, included only two players with previous international experience in team captain Robert Brady of St Kevins Boys and centre back Daniel Joyce from Belvedere, both of whom have recently been capped at the Under 16 age group. The Irish boys, comprised wholly of players attached to schoolboy clubs in Ireland, faced a Dutch side which included representatives from Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord among others.
Ireland opened brightly and endeavoured to take the game to their illustrious opponents. The game was played predominantly between both penalty areas with goal scoring opportunities few and far between. The first shot on target did not arrive until the 20th minute when Galway native Ethan Mannion of St Kevins Boys, struck a long range shot which the visiting goalkeeper dealt with comfortably. The half was fairly evenly balanced with both sides enjoying periods of possession. The nearest goal chance arrived seconds before the break when a 25 yard free kick was whipped in wickedly from the left by Confey star Jean Biansumba and the Dutch netminder was forced to tip the ball over the crossbar. The Dutch boys, whose passing and movement typified the style of their senior team, began the second half strongly and came close on 48 minutes when an excellent cross was headed just over. The Irish boys defended resolutely despite their inexperiece and their very limited opportunity of playing together. Holland had the greater share of possession but never really looked like they would penetrate the Irish defence in which Daniel Joyce was outstanding. Joyce received able support from full backs Leigh Swords of Belvedere and Gareth Wallace from Wexford Albion.
Manager Vincent Butler introduced six players during the second half and one of them, Eoin Wearen of St Kevins Boys, fired a speculative shot from 30 yards over the top. The final stages of the game continued on a fairly even keel with Belvedere midfielder Sean Skelly showing tremendous energy and Conor Murphy of St Kevins Boys also providing boundless industry in the central striking position. The last real opportunity of the game fell to the visitors in the closing minutes but the strike was badly off target. Following the game, Vincent Butler declared himself very pleased with the efforts of his young charges on their first expedition into international football. Clearly there was an element of nerves among some of the players who were watched by a pleasingly large attendance at the compact Whitehall venue, but they will have benefited greatly from the experience. Team Substitutes
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