Drennan continues goal spree

Luxembourg U19 2 Ireland U19 5

Drennan topped the scoring charts at international level during his U16 and U17 campaigns and the Kilkenny native, who also netted in last month’s friendly in Latvia, opened the scoring at the Alphonese Theis stadium with just eight minutes gone last night before doubling Ireland’s lead 13 minutes later.

Paul Doolin’s side racked up a commanding three-goal buffer midway through the half when skipper Tommie Hoban got forward from defence to convert from close range.

Though Chris Pereira pulled one back for the mini-group hosts two minutes shy of the break, Manchester United’s Sam Byrne, still only an U18 player, made it 4-1.

Milos Todorovic made it 4-2 10 minutes from time, yet the goal-hungry Drennan slammed home his hat-trick strike two minutes later from a free-kick.

The Irish can secure one of the two places from the pool into the elite stage with victory tomorrow against Macedonia, hammered 5-0 by top seeds Germany in yesterday’s other Group 5 tie. Ireland face the Germans in Tuesday’s concluding tie.

Doolin said: “Scoring five goals in the opening game is a big plus and we were on top for most parts.

“I said beforehand that Luxembourg would be decent and they’ll cause other teams problems in this group.”

IRELAND: Lawlor (Manchester City); Baba (Castlebar Celtic), Sweeney (Reading), Hoban (Watford), Griffin (Reading); Gallagher (Burnley), Sadlier (West Ham Utd), Dillon (Hull City); Drennan (Aston Villa), Byrne (Manchester United), Garmston (WBA).

Subs: Wilkinson (Millwall) for Drennan (82), Coombes (St Patrick’s Athletic) for Sadlier (88).