Impressive win for Ireland U18s over Hungary

Hungary 1-3 Republic of Ireland

THE Republic of Ireland U18 side produced an excellent display to secure a 3-1 win over Hungary in Kastvallen, Sweden, this evening.

Tom Mohan's side went into the fixture with plenty of confidence after a 2-2 draw in Germany last month and goals from Conor Levingston, Ronan Hale and Michael O'Connor handed them the victory.

Levingston opened the scoring after 27 minutes following an Irish corner which saw Tom Cadman cut the ball back for the Irish midfielder to fire home.

Hungary levelled in the 43rd minute when Mate Kemenyffy found the net after connecting with a clever pass by Bence Toth.

Ireland regained the lead ten minutes into the second half when Hale grabbed his third Ireland goal in two appearances. Hale found the net with a neat finish after good work by Anthony Scully.

Hungary might have levelled just two minutes later but Irish keeper Mark Travers denied them after a quick counter.

O'Connor sealed the Irish win injury time when he turned the ball home after connecting with a right wing delivery by Simon Power.

"We’re very pleased with how we performed overall. That was a good result against a good side. The game had a good intensity about it and Hungary pushed us hard," said Mohan.

"To be fair, in the first half we didn't start that well on a hot evening. Many of the lads hadn’t played in a few weeks and it showed. We'd a few good spells in first half but we knew we had to lift it in the second half.

"We conceded just before half-time which was disappointing but we started  the second half very well. We were very pleased with that response from the players and we scored three good goals on the night.

"All three goals were good finishes after good player. The boys at the back did well too against a direct side with Hungary throwing a lot of bodies forward. 

"Another plus was that five players made their debuts at this level tonight and the confidence will be good going into Saturday's game against Sweden."

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Mark Travers, Canice Carroll, JJ Lunney, Conor Masterson, Tom Cadman, Conor Levingston, Luke Wade-Slater, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Hale, Michael O'Connor, Anthony Scully. Subs: Jamie Aherne for Hale 79 mins; Simon Power for Wade-Slater 79; Sean Boyd for Scully 83; Liam Scales for Lunney 92, Eoghan Morgan for Levingston 92, Tristan Noack-Hofmann for O'Connor 92.

RESULTS & FIXTURES

U18 International Tournament

Thursday, June 2

Hungary 1-3 Republic of Ireland, Kastvallen, Sweden

Saturday, June 4

Sweden v Republic of Ireland, Stålringens ishall (11.00am Irish)