Leinster & Munster draw with Ireland U21

THE Republic of Ireland U21 XI drew 1-1 with the Leinster & Munster squad in a practice match at the AUL Complex on Saturday.

U21 Head Coach Noel King ran the rule over the home-based players who will be looking to stake a claim for promotion to the full U21 squad while Amateur international team manager Gerry Smith took charge of the Leinster & Munster squad preparing for next month’s UEFA Regions Cup qualifying tournament.

Captain James Walsh put Leinster & Munster ahead in the tenth minute when he fired home from close range after the U21 side half-cleared a corner. The ball was played back in by Lar Dunne and keeper Niall Burdon did well to deny Alan McCabe initially but the rebound fell kindly for Walsh to convert.

Sheriff YC attacker McCabe was a big influence for his side and he was denied a second goal in the 28th minute when Burdon tipped over his shot on the turn after good set-up play from Belgrove's Niall Hoban.

UCD defender Hugh Douglas had the U21 side's first decent opportunity in the 44th minute but he headed over from Barry McCabe's free-kick delivery from wide on the right.

King's charges drew level in the 49th minute when Bray Wanderers striker Ismahil Akinade was taken down in the box by Tolka Rovers defender Noel Murray and Conor Murphy stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

Barry McNamee might have grabbed a winner in the 79th minute but his low strike from 20 yards was well saved by Leinster & Munster keeper Adrian Walsh.

"We did really well in the first half and could have been more than a goal ahead," said Smith.

"In the second half the U21s started to run the show. We'd made nine changes at half-time but those guys are all part of the squad so there's no excuses there. We have to look at the whole team. It was a worthwhile exercise.

"I'm delighted with the game. We're playing the up and coming home-based professional players and we looked sharp. We had seven guys who had played matches the night before so it was an excellent workout for us. We've another good test against Catalonia on Wednesday."

King was equally pleased with what his saw from his selection.

"We knew that the Amateur international team management would have their side well prepared and they were a big threat in the first half. We were outfought at that stage and were a bit better after the break," said King.

"You couldn't argue with the result but the positive thing for us was to work with these players so we were very pleased. I got lots of information from this game and we'll be monitoring them at their own clubs. I'd like to do this kind of game again later in the year. I've always found it beneficial to do this over the years."

Republic of Ireland U21 XI: Niall Burdon (Shelbourne); Michael Barker (Bohemians), Hugh Douglas (UCD), Roberto Lopes (Bohemians), Luke Byrne (Bohemians), Barry McCabe (UCD), Barry McNamee (Derry City), Chris Forrester (St Patrick’s Ath), Conor Murphy (St Patrick’s Ath), Chris Lyons (Bohemians), Robbie Benson (UCD). 
Subs: Greg Murray (Bohemians) for Burdon 46 mins; Kevin Knight (Bray Wanderers) for Douglas 46; Eoghan Osborne (Dundalk) for Byrne 46; Ismahil Akinade (Bray Wanderers) for Benson 46; Stephen McDonnell (Dundalk) for McCabe 46; Daniel Purdy (Longford Town) for Lyons 46.

Leinster & Munster squad: Brendan O'Connell (Rockmount); Paul Murphy (Sheriff YC), James Walsh (St Michael’s), Paul Breen (St Michael’s), Ken Hoey (Rockmount), Shane Waters (Janesboro), Lar Dunne (Bangor Celtic), Ray Whelehan (Wayside Celtic), James Lee (Crumlin United), Alan McCabe (Sheriff YC), Niall Hoban (Belgrove). 
Subs: Adrian Walsh (Carrick United) for O'Connell 46; Noel Murray (Tolka Rovers) for Walsh 46; Conor Dillon (St Kevin's Boys) for Murphy 46; Ross Carrig (St Kevin's Boys) for Breen 46; Jimmy Carr (St Michael’s) for Waters 46; Adam Foley (Glebe North) for Lee 46; Barry Kavanagh (Duleek) for McCabe 46; Lee Murtagh (Firhouse Clover) for Whelehan 46; Walsh returned for Dillon 55.

Referee: Ian Bradley