Brave Ireland u21s fall to German defeat

Germany u21s 2 Republic of Ireland u21s 0

Republic of Ireland's dogged resistance was finally undone by a Hofmann double tonight in Halle as they concluded their UEFA qualification campaign.

Out of the race to qualify before this fixture, manager Noel King fielded a young side with a eye on the next campaign and they didn't disappoint against the group victors Germany.

For the opening 45 minutes, the Boys in Green more than held their own, but two goals early in the second half perforated their steely rearguard.

Philipp Hofmann, who at 21 was three years older than some of the visiting players, headed the opener on 47 minutes before his namesake Jonas ghosted into the box to curl his shot around Ian Lawlor in the Irish goal.

Despite being under siege for the opening 20 minutes, with Leonardk Bittcourt having his header ruled out for offside, King's charges created two clearcut chances to forge ahead.

When the mercurial Jack Grealish won a free on the left after 23 minutes, the delivery from Jack Byrne was met by Conor Wilkinson's header but not with enough power to trouble Timo Horn in the German goal.

Aston Villa starlet Grealish was also at the hub of Ireland's next opening just past the half when he left two defenders for dead before teeing up Jack Connors to shoot.

His effort from ten yards was well blocked by Horn and Grealish couldn't wrap his foot around the rebound to keep it on target.

That was the closest Ireland came to causing a shock, however, as the Germans improved their cutting edge after the restart.

Much of that was attributable to the interval introduction of Jonas Hofmann, the Borussia Dortmund winger recently loaned out to FC Mainz.

He enlivened the impatient crowd who soon got the goal they craved.

Julian Korb floated a cross in from the inside-right area and Philipp Hofmann outmuscled Mason Watkins-Clark to glance a header from eight yards into the bottom corner.

Stung by that concession, Ireland were soon left reeling again as the other Hofmann, Jonas, opened up his body in a crowded penalty area to find the far corner with a curler.

To Ireland's credit, they solidified after that, with Lawlor relatively untroubled for the remainder by a German side dominant in possession.

"The players could easily have collapsed after conceding twice early in the second half but they showed great character," was King's post-match assessment.

"It must be taken into context that Germany are not just the World champions at senior level but also regular winners of European titles at all levels beneath.

"Our lads will learn plenty from this as they've nothing to be ashamed of."

Ireland are in action again on October 9 when they face Norway away in a friendly.

GERMANY: Horn; Korb, Can, Knoche, Gunter; Geis, Leitner, Schulz (J Hofmann 46 mins); Bittencourt, P Hofmann (Arnold 65 mins), Younes (Kachunga 74 mins).

IRELAND: Lawlor; Long, Hoban, Watkins-Clark, Griffin; Lenihan, J Byrne (Sweeney 60 mins), Connors; Sadlier (Garmston 65 mins), Wilkinson, Grealish.

Ref: A Ekberg (Sweden).

ATT: 3956.