THE IRELAND U17 side secured a 3-2 victrory over Azerbaijan at Milebush, Castlebar today, as their preparations for the UEFA Championships qualifiers continued.
After six minutes, Cody Mulhall opened the scoring from the spot after Jake Mulraney was fouled.
The Irish side then doubled their advantage ten minutes before half-time, when Stephen Confey converted after good work by Val Feeney to set him up.
However, the visitors then hit back immediately, with Madatov Mahir scoring a penalty, after Kevin Toner was unfortunate to be penalised.
Vamavamai Mancur then turned into his own net from Corey Galvin’s cross to restore Ireland’s two-goal advantage.
Mahir then scored again from close range for the Azeris on the hour mark, following a cleverly corner kick routine, to ensure a tense finish.
The Irish team will now face Macedonia, Sweden and Romania in the qualifiers between September 29 and October 4.
Speaking after the game, Ireland manager Tom Mohan said:
“It was another good workout for us although we were a little sloppy after the break.
“The exercise was about looking at players ahead of the qualifiers and we’ve had a good chance to see what the lads can do.
“The second half was a good test for us and I’ve learned a lot about the squad this week.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Harry Doherty (Charlton); Ryan Rainey (Bonagee Utd), Kevin Toner (Aston Villa), Noe Baba (c) (Castlebar Celtic), Bobby Moseley (Birmingham), Jordan Toland (Swilly Rovers), Cody Mulhall (Stella Maris), Corey Galvin (Ipswich), Val Feeney (Athlone Town), Jake Mulraney (Nottm Forest), Stephen Confey (St Kevin’s Boys). Subs: Robin Dempsey (Aston Villa) for Rainey 53 mins; Eoghan Stokes (Leeds Utd) for Confey 53; Dan Cleary (Liverpool) for Baba 53; Dean O’Halloran (Fulham) for Mulraney 67; Alex O’Hanlon (Liverpool) for Galvin 67; Jack Byrne (Man City) for Feeney 71.AZERBAIJAN: Hasamli Ali; Iluas Safarzade, Khahikov Usup, Nasirov Budaj, Hashimli Mirkamil, Muradbeil Fahmin, Madatov Mahir, Vamavamai Mancur (c), Sadixov Ragim, Zararsiz Muslim. Subs: Demir Sercan for Mirkamil 20; Ibezade Ulvi for Mancur 41; Mammadov Jajjar for Safarzade 41; Garakhanov Parviz for Ragim 57; Aliuev Roman for Sercan 70.
