Doherty is spot-on in Republic of Ireland’s narrow win over Wales
PHOTOS:
Wales Under 18s line up for the national anthem
Officials Kevin Bowen, Aled Jones and Tom Bevan
Under 18 International Friendly Match
Wales 0 – Republic of Ireland 1
Gareth Doherty’s second half penalty secured a narrow victory for the Republic of Ireland against Wales at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Heavy rain greeted players as they stood for their respective national anthems before kick-off, but to Haverfordwest County’s credit the pitch held up brilliantly. This international clash showed a good standard in a hard fought contest played in an honest sporting manner.
The ball zipped off the slippery surface as the Wales defence had a few early wobbly moments as Ireland’s Alan Murphy, Darren Kavanagh missed chances, but their best scoring chance fell to Paul McMahon, the striker missing with a close range effort when he should have hit the back of the net.
Lloyd Hughes, of Haverfordwest County, had an impressive debut, continuously raiding down the left wing before he was substituted after 65 minutes.
Playing solidly at right back was Edward Speed, son of the late former Wales legend player and manager Gary.
Ireland goalkeeper David Coffey pulled off stunning stops to deny Christopher Whittaker, Thomas Bibby and Jack Chambers.
The visitors won the clash when they awarded a penalty in the 72
nd minute for a reckless challenge inside the box. Doherty stepped up and successfully struck from 12 yards off the inside of Wales goalkeeper’s Mitchell Jones’ right hand post.
Republic of Ireland stood firm for a narrow victory, but Wales head coach Mark Pike will feel bitterly disappointed that his Wales team didn’t get at least a draw as their overall display warranted it.
Wales Under 18s: Mitchell Jones (Airbus UK Broughton), Edward Speed (Airbus UK Broughton), Cai Parry (Bala Town), James Jones (The New Saints), Benjamin Nash (Captain – Gap Connah’s Quay), Daniel Dascalu (Bala Town), Lloyd Hughes (Haverfordwest County), Thomas Bibby (Gap Connah’s Quay), Christopher Whittaker (Cefn Druids), Nyasha Mwamuka (The New Saints), Jack Chambers (Gap Connah’s Quay). Substitutes: Joshua Webber (Afan Lido), Andrew Wycherley (The New Saints), Ifan Emlyn Jones (Bangor City), Mathew Rowley (Port Talbot Town), Liam Jaques (Aberystwyth Town), Brython Payne (Cambrian & Clydach), James Papirnyk (The New Saints), George Rathbone (Airbus UK Broughton), Jamie Roberts (Gap Connah’s Quay).
Republic of Ireland Under 18s: David Coffey (College Corinthians), Josh McMahon (St Kevin’s Boys), Brian Foley (Captain – Malahide United), Gareth Doherty (Letterkenny Rovers), Paul McMahon (Hardwicke FC), Adrian Delap (Letterkenny Rovers), Jason Magee (Letterkenny Rovers),Darren Kavanagh (Parkvilla FC), Alan Murphy (Hardwicke FC), Jason Hunt (Castlebar Celtic), Yousef Mahdy (Mervue United). Substitutes: Dean Casey (St Kevin’s Boys), Adam Horgan (College Corinthians), Eli Harrington (Kilreen Celtic), Lee McCarron (Castlebar Celtic), Daire O Boaill (Finn Harps), Shane Hulgrane (Salthill Devon).
Referee: Aled Jones.
Assistants: Tom Bevan & Kevin Bowen.
Fourth official: Jon Freeman.
PHOTO:
Republic of Ireland Under 18s line up for the national anthem