Disappointment for U19s

Ireland 0 - 1 Germany

Ireland's challenge to reach the UEFA U19 Championship Finals received a severe set-back in rain sodden Dalymount Park tonight. A hotly disputed penalty, converted by German playmaker Ben Hatira after sixteen minutes, proved to be the only goal of the game, while the German goalkeeper Martin Maennel produced a 'man of the match' performance.

Ireland entered the match on top of the Group and with the earlier draw between Bulgaria and Hungary, victory over Germany would secure the prized trip to the Austrian finals. Manager Sean McCaffrey made two changes to Monday's starting eleven, with Blackburn Rovers star Keith Treacy replacing the suspended Robert Bayly and Simon Madden coming in at right back for Scott Davies.

Keith Treacy

Treacy made immediate impact on the game with two incisive crosses in the opening minutes, putting the German defence under severe pressure. The Blackburn man continued to be central to affairs and a stinging free kick, for a foul on himself, after ten minutes was defected behind for a corner. Following the corner, the ball was returned to Treacy who struck another powerful shot which was saved by the goalkeeper.

Germany managed their first shot at goal after thirteen minutes, which was dealt with comfortably by Stephen Henderson. Three minutes later, another Gerrman attack brought disaster for Ireland. From a ball played into the box, a German attacker went down rather easily under challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. Henderson made a valiant effort to save but the kick carried just too much pace and accuracy and Ireland went a goal down.

Ireland maintained their composure and pressed forward in search of the equaliser. A Treacy corner on twenty two minutes was cleared outside the box where Jimmy Ryan took one touch and struck a powerful shot just off target. A couple of minutes later Germany's Sidney Sam received a yellow card for another in a series of fouls on the marauding Treacy.

Ireland continued to press and on twenty five minutes, delicate footwork by Anthony Stokes created an opening but the Sunderland man's shot went just wide. Three minutes later Treacy delivered another superb cross which was defended for a corner by desperate German defence. Ireland came very close to equalising on the half hour mark, when another Treacy corner broke to Aston Villa youngster Shane Lowry. Lowry's powerful shot struck the post and ricocheted wide.

Anthony Stokes

On thirty seven minutes, a quickly taken throw in down the right caught Ireland napping and from the resulting cross an unmarked German scuffed his shot wide, when he might easily have scored. Ireland regained their poise and another Treacy cross was struck over the bar by the supporting Stokes. Three minutes before half time, another Irish attack down the left flank was ended illegally by Tyrala, with a scything tackle on Eddie Nolan, which earned him a yellow card.

On the resumption, Germany replaced the carded Sam, but sadly for Ireland the punishment meted out to the excellent Treacy meant he was unable to continue because of an ankle injury. Glasgow Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan replaced Treacy. Ireland continued the search for parity and nine minutes into the second period, a surging run towards goal from Sheridan was abruptly ended by Eberlein. The German centre back and captain received a straight red card for the offence. The resulting free kick, on the edge of the area, was fired over the bar by Stokes.

Within a minute, Ireland was awarded another free kick, but on this occasion Sheridan's low shot was well saved by German goalkeeper Maennel. Ireland's domination of play continued and a snap shot from Nottingham Forest midfielder Alan Power was deflected for a corner. Twenty minutes into the half, a fine cross from Alan Judge, who had switched to occupy the left flank vacated by the injured Treacy, was headed behind for a corner. On seventy four minutes, another stinging free kick from Sheridan was blocked but broke to Judge, whose shot was again saved by the keeper.

In the seventy fifth minute, Matthew Cassidy of Bolton Wanderers replaced Ryan in the Irish midfield. Cassidy was swiftly into action and his pass was helped on by Sheridan to Judge, but the Blackburn winger fired over the bar. With ten minutes remaining, manager Sean McCaffrey made his third and final substitution, with Everton striker Aidan Downes replacing Monday's hat-trick hero Adam Rooney. A minute later, Stokes produced some more deft footwork, but his thirty yard effort was again saved by the excellent Maennel in the German goal.

With three minutes remaining Stokes broke into the box and struck a goalbound shot, but once again Maennel made an excellent save. As the seconds ticked away, the German scorer Ben-Hatira was cautioned for preventing Ireland taking a quick free-kick. Moments later he saw red, when another foul warranted his second booking and dismissal.

The final whistle brought sorrow for an Irish side which had dominated throughout and did not receive their just rewards. The German players celebrated with orchestrated triumphalism, and one wonders whether fate might yet prove that to be a premature gesture.

Control of the Group now lies with Germany who face Bulgaria in their final fixture while Ireland take on Hungary in United Park, Drogheda at 7.00pm on Saturday evening. Ireland has been the best team in the Group and must ensure they emphasise that point with victory over Hungary while hoping that Bulgaria can halt the German advance.

Team
Stephen Henderson
Simon Madden, Michael Spillane, Shane Lowry, Eddie Nolan
Alan Judge, James Ryan, Alan Power, Keith Treacy
Adam Rooney, Anthony Stokes

Substitutes
Shane Redmond, Scott Davies, Noel Haverty, Matthew Cassidy, Aidan Downes, Cillian Sheridan