Jack Moylan grabs hat-trick as Republic of Ireland ease past Grenada in Spain
HAT-TRICK HERO: The Republic of Ireland's Tom Cannon has a shot on goal despite the tackle of Kayden Harrack of Grenada. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland’s supporting cast had fun in the Spanish sun, pulverising Grenada with a second-half onslaught that included a hat-trick for debutant Jack Moylan.
Heimir Hallgrímsson handed out two debuts in his starting line-up – one to Moylan – and by the end another five had been dished out to substitutes.
Moylan's trio of goals came after Tom Cannon, on as a substitute for his third cap at the break, grabbed a brace to end Grenadian resistance.
This exercise in Murcia, before the official Fifa window begins, was designed to expose fringe players to the international fray and facing a Caribbean side ranked 163 in the world was an ideal introduction for several newcomers.
A combination of wasteful finishing and an inspired performance by Grenada goalkeeper Trishwan Thomas conspired against Ireland making their first-half supremacy count.
That the stopper plays his club football with Grenada police illustrated the calibre of opposition. Sourcing teams willing to operate before the window is difficult but the scattering of players from the lower English tiers, including non-league, was reflective of their limitations.
Hallgrímsson won’t mind how his experimental team expanded an unbeaten record, not including penalty shootouts, to six and will be enthused by a workout that expanded his options with a view to the Nations League series kicking off in September and next year’s World Cup qualifiers.
Very few of this squad who’ve undergone a week-long training camp in La Finca will be retained for the two next friendlies against Qatar and Canada but Moylan and Cannon bolstered their prospects of inclusion.
Adam Idah had endured a first-half of frustration, squandering a litany of chances including a sitter with the goal gaping. Without main man Troy Parrott, Idah’s opportunity to flourish came and went, albeit his all-round contribution during his 64 minutes was overall impressive.
Moylan was also guilty of profligacy in front of goal while Chiedozie Ogbene was inches from breaking the deadlock, clattering the post with a volley on the half-hour.
Three changes at the break injected a degree of spark, particularly from playmaker Andy Moran. Cannon also made an immediate impact, breaking free inside the box to apply a scruffy finish beneath the stranded goalkeeper from eight yards.
That opened the floodgates, with 23-year-old Cannon adding his second 10 minutes later after a move that involved Moran and Idah in neat build-up play.
Moylan soon got in on the act, racing clear just past the hour and keeping his composure to send his volley into the turf and past the goalkeeper.
Captain Dara O’Shea should have made it 4-0 with a close-range header while Cannon struck the crossbar with a free-kick but Moylan showed them the way. His second from the left side of the box followed an incisive pass from Moran before a delicious dash and cross by substitute Millenic Alli allowed the Lincoln City star to cushion his header into an empty net with six minutes left.
Between the scoring spree, clean sheet and Rory Finneran coming on to become the seventh youngest debutant, the Icelander can be pleased with his week’s work.
M O’Leary (J Keeley 74); D O’Shea (captain), M McGuinness (W Ferry 46), J Abankwah; J Knight, J Molumby (R Finneran 74), C Coventry (A Moran 46), T Adaramola (T Cannon 46); C Ogbene (M Alli 63), J Moylan; A Idah (A Emakhu 64).
T Thomas; K Vincent-Young, G Sandiford (R Raeburn 78), K Harrack, J Gabriel (B Ettienne 65); P Muirhead, A Charles; S John-Brown (J Lett 66), M Hippolyte, J Francis; L Akins (D Phillip 78).
Seth Galia (GIB).
800 (est)
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