The Republic of Ireland secured their qualification to the elite round of the European Under-17 Championship qualifying round with an expected match, as they deserved to beat tough North Macedonia 2-0 at Turner Cross on Sunday.
In front of 925 home fans, a lightning bolt from Rocco Fata in the first half followed by a very confident finish from Mark O’Mahony in the second ensured the Green Boys took two wins out of two to ease the transition to the next stage. The qualifying stage before the group lead with Poland on Wednesday afternoon.
Coach Colin O’Brien made two changes to his starting eleven Andorra was impressively beaten 5-0 at this venue on Thursday night. With O’Mahony and Trent Kone Doherty on offense instead of Franco Umeh and Caden McLoughlin.
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Great goal by Rocco Fata ????
A cheeky ending by Mark Umhoni ????
Great night for Ireland MU17s ????????# IRLU17 | #COYBIG | #We are one pic.twitter.com/ngVzAybJkG
– Ferland ⚽️???????? (United Kingdom) October 10, 2021
North Macedonia proved in their tough 0-0 fight with a talented Polish team that afternoon that they would not be an easy team to fall apart.
Ireland dominated the game but struggled to score clear goals as Kevin Zevi, Coon Doherty and Justin Verizage tried their luck from a distance, but none of them caused a real problem for the visiting goalkeeper.
The hosts needed a moment of inspiration, and in the 32nd minute, Rocco Fata delivered the ball from 25 yards, the Celtic midfielder unleashed a shocking shot that went through the goalkeeper at the left corner to give his country the lead at the end. .
The visitors improved as the game progressed, but the Irish came closer to scoring the decisive second goal early in the second half 45, but Cork’s Kathal Heffernan sent a header that hit the far post.
His teammates combined to seal victory in the 73rd minute when Franco Ohmi reached O’Mahony and after the first touch that grabbed the ball out of goal, the number 9 deftly parried it by passing the goalkeeper from close range.
Republic of Ireland: Walsh. Curtis, Heffernan, Brown, O’Brien; McManus, Vata (McLoughlin 80), Ferizaj; Connie Doherty (Omeh 72), O’Mahony, Zevi (Nolan 89).
North Macedonia: Stojanovic. Janevsky, Stogilevsky, Markowski, Arizankowski; Zendelovski, Gjorgievski (Sulejman 88), Tairi; Stoyanov, Clean, Elmas.
Rule: Adam Ladeback (Sweden).
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