Colin O’Brien stresses positive despite Ireland defeat

Ireland 3 Netherlands 1: The Republic of Ireland U15 side suffered a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in their final fixture of the campaign at Pike Rovers FC in Limerick yesterday.

Colin O’Brien’s side had beaten the same opponents on Tuesday evening but both sides made a host of changes and the Irish did not settle immediately.

The Netherlands took the lead in the fifth minute through Daishawn Redan. He turned provider for the second goal in the 12th minute, bursting down the right, before cutting the ball back for Maurice Kone to convert.

Ireland found a response with Aaron McColgan scoring directly from a corner just two minutes later.

After the break Ireland produced some decent spells but it was Irish keeper Patryk Osinski who was forced into a top-class save to deny Joey Jacobs in the 51st minute. Sub Jordan Doherty might have grabbed an equaliser in the 56th minute but he headed wide from a Gavin Kilkenny cross.

The visitors grabbed a third goal in the 72nd minute when Keyennu Lont fired to bottom corner from edge of the box.

“We feel the players have developed well collectively and will be ready to progress to the next stage with the U16s next season. They have shown that they’ve learned a lot and that’s what we wanted from them,” said head coach Colin O’Brien.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:

Patryk Osinski, Lee O’Connor, Dominic Peppard, Joe Redmond, Thierry Baba, Glen McAuley, Aaron McColgan (Aaron Connolly 52), Mark Kelly (Jordan Doherty 52), Luke Nolan, Gavin Kilkenny (Charlie Barry 61), Yassine En Neyah (Jack Owens 61).