Ireland Under-19s suffer Uefa qualifier defeat to Scotland

Ireland 0-4 Scotland

Ireland’s qualification aspirations for the Uefa Under-19 Championships were swept away on a wind-swept evening in Limerick on Wednesday as Scotland ran out 4-0 winners to progress to the Elite Phase.

Paul Doolin’s side needed a draw to seal second spot in the group but faced an uphill task after conceding just two minutes into the game. Ryan Hardie fired home after robbing an Irish defender. It was a soft goal for the visitors.

The Irish threatened an immediate equaliser but Frankie Mulhern’s low strike is saved by keeper Robby McCrorie just 60 seconds later.

In the 11th minute a cross by Olamide Shodipo fell to Mulhern and he tried to set up a team-mate but the ball hit a defender before rolling narrowly wide.

Five minutes later a brilliant low cross by Connor Ronan from the left almost found Shodipo at the back post but he just couldn’t connect.

Ireland suffered a hammer blow in the 24th minute when they went 2-0 down. Aidan Nesbitt fired home after Ireland conceded possession in their own half and were caught on the break.

The third goal came six minutes later. The wind played its part as a corner wasn’t cleared properly then the ball was lofted back in and was bundled home by Ross McCrorie from close range.

In the 38th minute Ronan found the net with a low strike but unfortunately it was ruled offside and had that gone in it may have given the Irish heart.

Greg Kiltie was a real threat for the Scots. He had a 62nd minute shot from 25 yards saved by James Talbot then five minutes later Kiltie fired home from six yards out after a cross was not dealt with.

Talbot made a couple of saves to deny Nesbitt but it mattered little as the visitors claimed the three points. Ireland’s hopes of qualification are essentially over.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Talbot, Deasy, Sweeney, Elworthy, McCourt, Poynton, Watts (Boyle 57), Kelly (McClelland 46), Ronan (O'Connor 66), Shodipo, Mulhern.

SCOTLAND: Robby McCrorie, Ross McCrorie, Tierney (Cameron 80), Breslin, Iacovitti, Thomson, Sammut, Burke (Wright 77), Hardie (Burt 83), Kiltie, Nesbitt.