Palace boss blasts Irish over treatment of Scannell

NEIL WARNOCK’S fractious relationship with the FAI has deteriorated further after he launched an outspoken attack on their treatment of his Crystal Palace winger Sean Scannell.

Warnock was already furious that Scannell had been called up by U19 manager Sean McCaffrey for this week’s European U19 Championship qualifiers against Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden, despite the teenager only recently undergoing hernia surgery.

But his mood soured even more after Scannell played 78 minutes in last Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing by the Swiss, a result which ended Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Ukraine next month.

The 18-year-old did score a consolation goal in the defeat but Warnock is livid that Scannell was made to play for so long in a losing cause, despite the concerns over his fitness.

“It’s a disgrace when he hasn’t played any football,” he said. “They were getting hammered and I can’t believe he (McCaffrey) didn’t pull him off earlier. I’m absolutely disgusted that they lost 6-1 and didn’t pull him off after 45 minutes.

“I am absolutely delighted they aren’t through, it serves them right. I didn’t understand why he was playing for them now.”

Meanwhile, McCaffrey’s young side claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sweden in the final game of the UEFA Championship, elite qualifying phase in Belgium last night.

Goals from Aaron Doran and James Collins secured the win at the rain-soaked Sport Centrum stadium in Tessenderio with the Irish eager to avoid a whitewash after losses to Belgium and Switzerland last week.

Ireland took advantage of their superiority in the game after 29 minutes when Blackburn’s Aaron Doran capped off a well-worked move with a well-taken goal. Ireland maintained their patient build up play and Conor Clifford sprayed the ball over the Swedish defence into the path of Doran who raced towards the on-rushing keeper and cheekily nutmegged goalkeeper Noring.

Sweden equalised in the 38th minute with a sublime goal from Rasmus Jonsson but Ireland regained the lead in the 73rd minute. Sunderland’s Conor Hourihane raced to the byline and crossed to James Collins who slid the ball past Viktor Noring in Sweden’s goal.

In the other group 4 encounter, Belgium and Switzerland played out a 1-1 draw, ensuring the Swiss advance to the UEFA Championship finals set to be held in the Ukraine this summer.

Republic of Ireland: C Gallagher, R Towell, L Oyebanjo, G Gunning, D McCrory, A Doran, C Clifford, G Morrissey, C Hourihane, R Murray (S Scannell, 61), J Collins (C Morris, 90).