Ireland qualify for World University Games quarter-finals after win over Russia

Ireland 2-1 Russia

Dublin City University’s Alan O’Sullivan came off the bench to net a second goal for Ireland, which proved to be decisive as they overcame a strong Russian side to top Group D and qualify for the quarter finals of the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.

NUI Maynooth defender Jake Corrigan had given Ireland the lead in first half injury time before O'Sullivan, a second year student at DCU and Shelbourne striker, replaced Dean Broaders before putting Danny Crowley's team 2-0 up.

A dogged Russian side battled back to half the defecit with a Pavel Kapasev penalty ten minutes from the end but Ireland managed to hold on for the win.

Ireland’s impressive resilience sees them set to face up to Italy in a quarter-final clash on Thursday.

Speaking after the game Crowley said: “Russia were excellent they shaded possession but we displayed a great work ethic. Jake (Corrigan) did really well to put us in front at a great time and then had to retire at the break but Alan’s (O’Sullivan) goal came as a huge lift and gave us plenty to hang on to. After Russia pulled the goal back from the penalty we came under fierce pressure for the final ten minutes but managed to hold out”.

Ireland: M Connor (Waterford IT); N Haverty (IT Carlow), D Mernagh (UL), S Last (IT Carlow), R McEnteer (Dundalk IT); C O'Keeffe (IT Carlow), P Higgins (UL), J Corrigan (Maynooth Univ); L Kelly (DCU), C McDonald (Dundalk IT); D Broaders (IT Carlow).

Subs: E Molloy (IT Carlow) for O'Keeffe 27 mins, A McGreal (UCD) for Corrigan h-t, A O'Sullivan (DCU) for Broaders 57 mins, J Bonner (IT Carlow) for McDonald 77 mins, R Gaul (DCU), B Nolan (UL), G Coughlan (UL), S Houghton (IT Carlow).