The Republic of Ireland Men's U15s drew their opening game of the Federations Cup Tournament 0-0 with Mexico at the Camps de Futbol Oliva Nova in Spain yesterday. Ireland struck the woodwork three times during the encounter in an impressive display by Jason Donohue's side. The young Boys in Green had a number of chances in the first half to take the lead and were a constant threat on the counter-attack to their Mexican opponents. In the 25th minute, Galway United's Kyle Fitzgerald was played down the left-hand channel and he forced a brilliant save from Luis Patricio Gómez Sánchez. The ball fell to Bez Agbontaen whose turn and shot hit the side netting as Ireland upped the pressure. Shortly afterwards Shamrock Rovers' Darragh Marshall was unlucky to find the net, again following an Ireland counter-attack. The best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute through another Ireland counter-attack. Ivan Graminschil broke down the left and he beat his man before firing at the goal. Some how the ball stayed out, striking both posts, before eventually being cleared by Mexico. Just after the half-time break Ireland hit the woodwork again. Great work by Marshall down the right saw him cut the ball back to Cork City's Matthew Moore but the midfielder's effort struck the crossbar. Galway United forward Donnacha Sammon and Getafe's Brendan Finn Benoa were introduced for their Ireland debuts as Ireland went in search of the opening goal. In the 64th minute, neat work between Mason Melia and Marshall carved Mexico open again but Cathal O'Sullivan was unable to apply the finish. It would be the last clear cut chance of the game which ended all square.
Republic of Ireland: Ellis; Harnett (C), Roche, Mulligan, Graminschil; O'Donnell (Finn Benoa 68), Chan (O'Sullivan 60), Matthew Moore (Melia 60); Fitzgerald (Vodo 68), Agbontaen (Sean Moore 60), Marshall (Sammon 68)
Mexico: Luis Patricio Gómez Sánchez; Guillermo Miranda Diaz Herbey, Saúl Alfaro Avilés, Ćristoból, Oceloti Gonzalez Libereros, Irving Luna López, Édgar Luciano Moreno Rangel, Hugo Camberos Figueroa, José Baldemar Elenes Quiñonez, Juan Alexander Sigala Garcia, Cristoból Basilo Hernandez Alcanntara
Substitutes: Cristo Armando Navarrete Gonzalez, Álvaro Ricos Trasfi, Luis Alfonso Pérez Corona, Diego Tristán Reyes Luis Gutiérez, Julio Cesar Diaz Balanzar, Luis Ángel Gómez Bernal, José Abraham Estrada Chávez, Derek Ramsés Jiménez Garcia, Santiago López González
International Friendly Fixtures (all kick-off times Irish times)
Sunday, December 5 | Spain MU16 v Republic of Ireland MU16, Estadio Municipal Los Arcos, KO 5pm
Tuesday, December 7 | Republic of Ireland MU16 v Poland MU16, KO TBC
