National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ivan Gettins kicked off to start the match. In the 6th minute U21 Northern Ireland were awarded a corner. Tommy Ripley went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Tommy Ripley got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Łukasz Polak quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. The audience cheered loudly when Tommy Ripley's long shot in the 6th minute became 1-0 when the ball went to the left of and passed Łukasz Polak. A collision led to U21 Ireland getting a freekick after 12 minutes play. Begley Holt hit a great ball. David Rundell sent away a hard shot on goal in the 14th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Begley Holt sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of U21 Ireland booed when U21 Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. David Rundell didn't get a good kick on the ball. U21 Ireland's Breccan McAaron got a good chance for a goal in the 24th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 28th minute Brian Callaghan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Charlie Bilton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ivan Gettins in the 29thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Łukasz Polak, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After 39 minutes of play, U21 Northern Ireland's Ivan Gettins made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Łukasz Polak was left in no man's land by his defense there! Brian Callaghan's late challenge caught a U21 Northern Ireland's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Brian Callaghan helped the player get up and apologised. In the 42nd match minute, U21 Ireland was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brian Callaghan to maneuver through the defense. Ivan Gettins could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 43rd minute of the match, but Łukasz Polak made a huge save. Rowan Way in the 48thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Łukasz Polak, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Breccan McAaron to strike the kick off in the second half. Łukasz Polak showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rowan Way , who was totally free with the ball in the 54th minute. The supporters of U21 Ireland booed when U21 Northern Ireland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Shane Darby didn't get a good kick on the ball. Brian Callaghan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 59th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Rowan Way hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. A hard shot 68 in the game by Breccan McAaron from a close distance when the talented Charlie Bilton managed to make a qualified save. U21 Northern Ireland's players were relieved. U21 Ireland's Brian Callaghan got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Beglan Hamilton kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Łukasz Polak showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pat Hughes, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. In the 76thth minute of the game Ivan Gettins who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Ireland's Łukasz Polak was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After some careless play in the U21 Ireland defense, Pat Hughes kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Łukasz Polak. The U21 Ireland fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Łukasz Polak should have stopped the shot. In the 92nd minute, Breccan McAaron got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. U21 Northern Ireland had won after a very even match.