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Unlucky

Ireland bow out of U17 Euros after quarter-final defeat to England

Colin O’Brien’s side were beaten 1-0 in Zagreb this afternoon.

Ireland 0
England 1

A STUNNING FIRST half strike from Manchester City youngster Jadon Sancho was enough to hand England victory over Ireland at the U17s European championship in Croatia.

Having narrowly qualified for the quarter-finals after one win and two defeats in the group stages, the Boys in Green were hoping to make it into the last-four. Victory this afternoon would also have secured a place in this year’s U17 World Cup in India.

However, standing in the way was a strong England side who came into the game with a 100% record after victories over the Netherlands, Norway and Ukraine.

Ireland goalkeeper Brian Maher was called into action to keep out George McEachran on eight minutes, and the same player then had a shot blocked.

England continued to attack and they went in front on 13 minutes as Sancho found the top corner with a superb strike from 25 after good build-up play. It was the winger’s fourth goal of the tournament.

Soon after conceding, Aaron Bolger of Shamrock Rovers had a pop at goal from a free-kick but Josef Bursik was well-placed to make the save.

But it was Maher who was busiest in the Ireland goal — preventing Phil Foden, Lewis Gibson and McEachran from adding to England’s lead before the half-time whistle went.

At the beginning of the second half, Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster was close to scoring a second for the Young Lions but his effort struck the woodwork.

England continued to dominate possession and Maher had more work to stop a number of attempts on goal.

O’Brien threw Blackpool forward Rowan Roache on for Richard O’Farrell with 14 minutes on the clock and Ireland in need of a goal.

But matters got worse before the final whistle as the Boys in  Green went down to 10 men. Bolger fouled Gibson and was shown a second yellow card by the referee.

IRELAND: Brian Maher, Kameron Ledwidge, Nathan Collins, Luke Nolan, Joe Redmond; Jordan Doherty, Aaron Bolger, Richard O’Farrell (Rowan Roache 66); Callum Thompson, Adam Idah, Aaron Connolly.

ENGLAND: Josef Bursik, Timothy Eyoma,Timothy Eyoma, Jonathan Panzo, Lewis Gibson; Phil Foden, George McEachran, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jadon Sancho, Rhian Brewster, Tashan Oakley-Boothe.

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