The Irish Amateur side led by St. Michael's James Walsh suffered a 2-0 defeat to a stylish Spanish team in the first group game in the UEFA Regions Cup in Zapresic Stadium, Croatia on Monday. Goals from David Durantez and Antonio Ramirez in the first and second half respectively means that Ireland will have to get a positive result against Bosnia on Wednesday if they are to make the final.

 

The Irish made a very nervous start and the Spanish took the lead in the 13th minute when a slip by David Lacey allowed the Spanish captain, David Durantez score from 25 yards with a tremendous shot which left Brendan O' Connell with no chance in Ireland's goal. Ireland tried hard to get back into the game and their only chance of the first half saw Lacey going close on 32 minutes only to see the Spanish keeper make an excellent save. Daniel Loughran was replaced by William Molloy in the 31st minute after straining his calf.

The second half saw Ireland take the game to Spain and with the Spanish looking vulnerable under pressure as they defended their slender advantage. On 54 minutes Ireland should of equalised when the unmarked Callaghan headed over from 6 yards. The Spanish sealed the game in the 72nd minute when Antonio Ramirez scored from close in after looking offside when he received his pass.

Speaking after the game Manager Gerry Smith said, " I thought the Spanish were an excellent side today and we can have no complaints with the result. I thought that the team performed extremely well and they really put it up to the Spanish, especially in the second half. I think this is a very competitive group and there is always a potential for teams to take points off each other. We will go into Wednesday's game against Bosnia in a positive frame of mind because our hopes of qualifying for the final are very much alive," said Smith.


Team: B. O' Connell, K. Hoey, J. Walsh (Capt), J. Carroll, P. McCabe, D. Loughran, R. Whelehan, W. Callaghan, D. O Connell, P. Sherlock, D. Lacey.

Subs: W. Molloy for for D. Loughran (31), L. Dunne for D. O' Connell (72), D. Varian for P. Sherlock (80).

 

UEFA Regions Cup – fixtures

Wednesday, June 17th
Republic of Ireland v Bosnia
Kick-off: 17.30 (local time)

Saturday, June 20th
Republic of Ireland v Belgium
Kick-off: 17.30 (local time)

 

Courtesy of FAI www.fai.ie