Victory in vain for Ireland

SOCCER UNDER-19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 Republic of Ireland 1:SEÁN McCAFFREY'S Irish Under-19 team defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final European Championship qualifier courtesy of a Conor Clifford penalty in Kiev yesterday.

However, victory was not enough to secure qualification for this summer’s finals in France as England sealed their place in the eight-team finals with a 1-1 draw with Ukraine at the Borodinka venue in Kiev.

Chelsea midfielder Clifford scored from the spot after 68 minutes as Ireland claimed second spot in Group Three ahead of European champions Ukraine.

In a one-sided encounter, Ireland created most of the scoring opportunities throughout as they looked to build on their goal difference which they hoped would help their qualification hopes had Ukraine defeated England 1-0.

Galway United striker Karl Sheppard had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the 24th minute when Conor Henderson cleverly chipped the ball over the defence which allowed Sheppard through one-on-one with Divkovic, who raced off his line and blocked from point-blank range.

Bosnia and Herzegovina defender, Ali was dismissed by the referee in the 44th minute for a two-footed lunge on midfielder Daniel Kearns.

As Ireland pushed forward in numbers after the interval it gave Bosnia and Herzegovina a number of opportunities to attack on the break and striker Pandza missed a glorious chance as he fluffed his lines in front of goal with just Ger Hanley to beat.

Ireland made the breakthrough when Sunderland’s Conor Hourihane’s darting run into the box was halted by defender Hadi, and Clifford scored his second penalty in as many matches as he calmly put the ball to the goalkeeper’s left.

Lively substitute Ronan Murray had an opportunity to score with 10 minutes remaining but his shot was blocked by the charging defence.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: G Hanley, R Towell, J Dunleavy, S McGinty, S McEleney, C Hourihane, C Clifford, Conor Henderson, D Kearns, S Timmins, K Sheppard. Subs: I McLoughlin, R Murray (for Sheppard, 69 mins), S McDonnell, A Boyle, H Crawford (for Kearns, 46 mins), J Keohane ( for Timmins, 33 mins).