Hendrick the hero as Ireland U18’s gain revenge

IRELAND U18’s beat Macedonia last night in the second of this week’s double-header in Ohrid, thanks to a goal 19 minutes from time by substitute Jeff Hendrick.

The Derby County midfielder arrived on cue to head home a delightful cross by Newcastle United’s Stephen Folan, who had come on as substitute only two minutes earlier.

Following their 1-0 loss to the hosts on Tuesday, Ireland boss Sean McCaffrey made eight changes and one of the newcomers, Craig Walsh, blasted them ahead with just five minutes gone with a stunning volley from 30 yards.

Macedonia drew level on the half hour when defender Danny Joyce conceded a penalty and, though goalkeeper Robert Egan guessed the right way, Mistovski’s spot-kick carried enough power to beat the Kilmallock teen.

With the game evenly poised, the two substitutes combined to create the winning goal on 71 minutes, much to the delight of McCaffrey.

“I felt we produced a vastly improved display today from Tuesday’s and deservedly won the game. There were a lot of superb individual performances and it bodes well for next season’s U19 UEFA Championship qualifiers.”

IRELAND: Egan (Kilmallock); Joyce (Reading), Ferdinand (Southend United), O’Shaughnessy (Aberdeen), Fitzsimons (Milwall); Stewart (Belvedere), McDonnell (Dundalk), Walsh (Shamrock Rovers), Murray (Sheffield United); Keegan (unattached), Rafter (Colchester United).

Subs: Murphy (Shamrock Rovers) for Murray, Quinn (Fulham) for Keegan, Harriman (QPR) for Joyce (all ht), Horgan (Salthill Devon) for Stewart (61), Hendrick (Derby County) for Walsh (65), Folan (Newcastle United) for Rafter (69), O’Connor (Blackburn) for McDonnell (80).