TEAM IRELAND got their World University campaign off to a good start yesterday (Thursday) when the men’s & women’s soccer squads took on Uruguay and Chinese Taipei respectively.
The women’s match versus Taipei saw Ireland deliver a superb first half with numerous attacks, while keeping the Taipei keeper on her toes. The reward came for Ireland in the 19th minute with a cracking goal from No. 9 Claire O’Riordan (Limerick & IT Carlow) on the end of a superb pass from No. 7 Siobhan Killeen (Dublin & UCD) who had a fantastic match on the wing causing all kinds of trouble for Taipei.
Ireland continued to push forward but Taipei were equally controlling the ball very well and they got the equaliser in the 35th minute to see the women take to the changing rooms on equal footing.
The second half saw a far more determined Taipei side and for the first 10 minutes there was intense pressure on the Ireland defence but great performances from Ciara Rossiter (no 3) (Wexford / WIT), Jessica Gleeson (no 4) (Waterford / WIT) and Jennifer Byrne (no 15) ensured there were going to be no more goals conceded! So the game finished 1 all draw and good result overall for team Ireland – other strong performances came from Julianne Russell (no 11) and keeper Niamh Reid Burke (Dublin / Blanchardstown IT). Subs – Catherine Cronin (no 20 ) (Limerick/UCD) replace Ciara Rossiter (no 3), Sarah Crowe (no 12) (Mayo / DCU) replace Roseanne Maguire (no 19) (Dublin / NCI) and Rachel Doyle (no 18) (Dublin / Maynooth University) replaced Ciara O’Connell (no 2).
The Irish women next meet the Czech Republic on Saturday under the stewardship of Gerard Dunne.
In the men’s tournament, Ireland’s clash with Uruguay in the Gochang Public Stadium was a more cagey and defensive one with little between the sides, eventually finishing in a nil all draw. Both sides held the upper hand at various stages with the Uruguayans having the clearest of chances when a deflected clearance hit the Irish crossbar.
In what at times was a physical game, it was clear that neither side wanted to make that one crucial mistake that could cost them the game. From an Irish perspective that bit of guile that would have unlocked the Uruguayan defence was unfortunately absent although IT Carlow’s Jonathan Bonner and Eric Molloy did show some fine touches throughout.
Apart from that one Uruguayan opportunity the Irish defence was well marshalled by team captain Dylan Mernagh (UL) and Stephen Last (IT Carlow). Next up for the Irish lads, on Sunday, is China whose more expansive game should prove a different challenge for Danny Crowley’s charges.
The Opening Ceremony takes place this evening 7.30pm local time (approx. 11.30am Irish time) and is being streamed live on : www.livefisu.tv
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