Wales Suffer In Victory Shield Defeat Against Hosts

Hosts Republic of Ireland left Wales down and out during their Victory Shield under-16 clash in County Kerry.

The Welsh boys had battle to a 1-1 draw against Scotland in their opening fixture, defender Matt Baker scoring the goal, but were beaten 4-0 by the Irish.

“We started the game well and needed to after the last 15 minutes of the game against Northern Ireland,” said Republic head coach Paul Osam.

https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1062739608860049408

“We did a lot of preparation coming into this game and it’s great to see young players take instructions on board the way they did.

“We had Wales penned back for long periods and had a lot of opportunities to score. It was important to keep a clean sheet as well so it’s a real lift.

“This gives us an opportunity going into Friday’s match (v Scotland) and we’ll go back to look at what we can improve on again going into that game.”

Oliver O’Neill (2), Louie Barry and Andrew Moran sealed victory at Mounthawk Park.

Ireland were dominant and went ahead in the 21st minute. The industrious O’Neill found the onrushing Barry with a lofted through-ball and after he expertly flicked the ball over the keeper, he finished to give the home side the lead.

Wales players walk into the stadium before the Wales v Republic of Ireland Victory Shield match.

Four minutes before the break, Ireland doubled their lead. O’Neill didn’t give up on a long ball forward in difficult conditions and after he beat defender Keelan Williams to win possession, the Fulham forward fired home.

The third goal came nine minutes after the break when substitute Sinclair Armstrong did well to find Bray Wanderers’ Andrew Moran six yards out and he scored into the bottom corner.

West Brom’s Barry found O’Neill on the edge of the area after 75 minutes and he turned his defender before sliding the ball under the keeper for his second of the game.

Republic of Ireland: Daniel Rose (gk), Oisin Hand (capt), CJ Egan-Reilly, Colin Conroy (Ben McCormack 66), Billy Vance (Sinclair Armstrong 41), Louie Barry (Lee Harkin 66), Andrew Moran (Kailin Barlow 56), Adam Wells, Oliver O’Neill (Oran Crowe 66), Jamie Doyle, Fionnan Coyle.

Victory Shield: Wales v Republic of Ireland.

Wales: Luca Smith (gk), Keelan Williams (Harry Jones 41), Taylor Jones (Josh Edwards 51), Bryce Jones (Jay Williams 41), Matthew Baker, Ollie Ewing (capt), Jadan Raymond (James Sweet-Lannin 51), Levent Gundogan (Ryan Viggers 63), Patrick Jones (Aaron Hillier 51), Cian Williams.

Referee: Eddie O’Mahony

2018 Victory Shield results and fixtures:

Scotland 1, Wales 1 (at St. Brendan’s Park)

Republic of Ireland 1, Northern Ireland 3 (at Mounthawk Park)

Wednesday: Republic of Ireland 4, Wales 0 (at Mounthawk Park)

Wednesday: Northern Ireland v Scotland (at Mounthawk Park, 6pm)

Friday: Scotland v Republic of Ireland (at Tralee Dynamos, 1pm)

Friday: Wales v Northern Ireland (at Mounthawk Park, 1pm)

Full Wales under-16 squad:

Max Williams (Wrexham)

Luca Smith (Bristol City)

Keelan Williams (Liverpool)

Jay Williams (Newport County)

Matthew Baker (Gillingham)

Bryce Jones (Leeds United)

Ethan Vaughan (Cardiff City)

Harry Jones (Arsenal)

Oliver Ewing (Fulham)

James Sweet-Lannin (Arsenal)

Taylor Jones (Cardiff City)

Joshua Edwards (Swansea City)

Jadan Raymond (Crystal Palace)

Zac Williams (Crewe Alexandra)

George Walters (Manchester United)

Liam Higgins (Everton)

Siyabonga Ligedenza (Cardiff City)

Levent Gundogan (Blackburn Rovers)

Ryan Viggars (Sheffield United)

Aaron Hillier (Swansea City)