Corcoran and Moore play against Brazil
Meath players Jimmy Corcoran and Paddy Moore featured for the Republic of Ireland today in a u-16 friendly international against Brazil at the AUL in Dublin.
Brazil shaded the verdict by 2-1 but it was level (1-1) at half-time.
Jimmy Corcoran played the first-half with the second keeper taking over after the break.
Jimmy is a former player with Kells/Blackwater in the North Eastern Counties Schoolboys League while Paddy Moore played for Torro Utd.
A good crowd from Meath attended and Jimmy was presented with a Kells / Blackwater jersey from the club by John Madden.
Jimmy, who now plays for Cherry Orchard, has kept in close touch with his former club and regularly trains young goalkeepers from the club. Paddy Moore now plays for St Kevin's Boys.
Today's game against Brazil was billed as Brazil’s u-15 but their players were all born in 2002 so they would be considered u-16 players in a UEFA context.
While the quality of the South American side’s play was impressive, the Irish defended resolutely and took the lead with a thumping header from Conor Power in the 36th minute from a Paddy Moore free on the right.
Brazil might have grabbed the opener after just 45 seconds but goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran made a brilliant save to deny Fluminese attacker Kaka from point-blank range.
Corcoran denied the same player in the 31st minute when Kaka’s low shot from an angled drive seemed destined for the bottom corner.
Power’s opener gave Ireland hope of a surprise victory but Kaka ended up grabbing the equaliser in the 40th minute with another low strike from a tight angle.
The second half saw more Brazilian pressure on the Irish defence but unfortunately for the home side they eventually conceded in the 69th minute when Joao Peglow found the net with a crisp low strike that went in off the base of the Irish left upright.
Three minutes later substitute Ivonei, from Santos, produced another dangerous low shot from distance that cracked off the same Irish upright but this time skidded clear.
Ireland had a fantastic chance to level the game in the 81st minute when a left wing cross by James Furlong found Ronan McKinley and his low strike beat keeper Cristian but defender Gabriel Noga slid in and got a foot to the ball. Footage of the incident afterwards suggested the ball may have crossed the line but it was not 100 percent conclusive.
Conor Carty had a chance from the resulting free-kick by Matt Everitt but his header was too high to test the keeper.
“We got this game at short notice but we’re delighted that we did as it will really help the players in their overall preparations towards the UEFA Under 17 Championships which we’re hosting in 2019,” said Ireland u-15 Head Coach Jason Donohue, who was taking charge of the team as Paul Osam is on his UEFA Pro Licence course.
Republic of Ireland - Jimmy Corcoran (Gavin Bazuna 41), Seamas Keogh, Oghenetega Agberhiere (James Furlong 41), Cian Kelly, Conor Power (Matthew Healy 59), Brandon Holt, Joe Hodge, Kian Leavy (Ronan McKinley 41), Festy Ebosele (Timi Sobowale 59), Matt Everitt, Paddy Moore (Conor Carty 41).
Brazil: Cristian, Cadu (Kaio Jorge 54), Gabriel Noga, Renan, Fabinho, Eduardo (Yan 54), Gabriel Veron (Pedro Arthur 64), Talles (Ivonei 59), Joao Peglow (Henri 78), Reiner (Giovanni Ribeiro 73), Kaka.