O’Connor: Goals yet to sink in

UNLIKELY scoring hero Anthony O’Connor admitted last night that the enormity of his contribution to Ireland’s Under-19s’ European Championship win over Greece 24 hours previous was still sinking in.

The Blackburn Rovers defender hadn’t scored a competitive goal at international level until his brace in the Buftea suburb of Bucharest gave Ireland the chance to progress from the group if they win their second game against the Czech Republic tomorrow.

Corkman O’Connor was in the right place twice from corners at the start of each half as they got their group off to the best possible start. His first goal, after just two minutes was textbook stuff with the centre-back swivelling in the box to drive home a low volley from 10 yards.

“I was really happy to chip in with the two goals but the result most was the important thing,” said the former Nufarm and Kilreen Celtic product.

“I don’t think I’d ever scored one (the first goal) that good before. It just came to me and (I) caught it sweetly and it went into back of net.

“I got messages from a few friends and family saying congratulations, telling me they were proud as punch. But I’ll keep my feet on the floor and look forward to the next game.

“I think Greeks are always a tough test. They move the ball well and they get around the pitch well but we had a game plan. We always do. Organisation is a key part of our team and it paid off last night.”

He added: “We did our homework on them and exploited areas where they might be weak. In the videos we watched, they didn’t look like they were picking up from set-pieces.

“Thankfully, I just exploited the spaces that I saw and got on the end for the goals.

“We’re dangerous from set-pieces. We have good headers of the ball, as well as aggressive players and thankfully we got the goals to put us in good position for next two group games though.”

After tomorrow’s encounter against the Czechs, 3-1 winners over Romania in the other game in the pool contested on Tuesday, Ireland complete the group by facing the hosts next Tuesday. The top two in the group advance to the semi-final stages tomorrow week, meaning a win from either of the remaining two matches will most likely seal their passage into the semi-finals.