Luke O'Donnell helps Ireland U-16s to impressive win over Ukraine

Buncrana’s Luke O’Donnell was part of the Republic of Ireland U-16 side that defeated Ukraine 3-1 in the UEFA Development Tournament currently being played in Slovakia.

Second-half goals from Cork City’s Jaden Umeh, St.Patrick’s Athletic’s Michael Noonan and Malaga’s Aaron Ochoa Moloney earned Ireland their second win in two days.

Ireland came into the game looking to follow up on their 4-2 victory over Latvia on Wednesday. Head Coach Paul Osam made eight changes to the starting line-up from that win as he looked to utilise the squad.

And his side were on top for the majority of the first-half. Umeh had a great chance when he was left unmarked at the backpost but his header just went wide. Noonan had an opportunity when he was put in one-on-one with the goalkeeper but could only fire straight at Oleksandr Petrenko.

Despite being the dominant side, it was Ukraine who opened the scoring. A quick break down the left saw a cross played to the back post, from Dynamo Kyiv’s Bohdan Redushko was picked-out on the edge of the box and he fired past Noah Douglas for 1-0.

Determined to get back into the game after the break, Ireland had a glorious chance through James Roche. The Shamrock Rovers’ centre back saw his header from a corner cleared away from underneath the crossbar, it looked to be over the line but it wasn’t given.

However Ireland didn’t have long to wait for an equaliser. Sean Moore saw his effort saved but the rebound fell to Umeh to fire home in the 60th minute. And the turnaround was complete in the 78th minute when Noonan put Ireland ahead. Brody Lee delivered a great cross for William Martin who cushioned the ball into the path of Noonan to finish.

Three minutes later it was 3-1. Daniel Ring played in a pass for Ochoa Moloney to score his first goal for Ireland.Ireland will finish off the tournament, and their international season, when they face the hosts Slovakia on Monday morning. Finn Harps goalkeeper Oisin Cooney is also part of the squad and started in the side’s previous 4-2 win over Latvia.

Ireland: Douglas, Mare (Ring, 79), Coffey, Roche, Moore (C) (Martin, 63), O’Donnell, Ochoa Moloney (Lynskey, 88), McCarthy, Fitzgerald (Lee, 63), Noonan (Egan, 79), Umeh (Vodo, 63)

Ukraine: Petrenko, Sheleketa, Tretiak, Soroka, Dihitiar (C), Iesin, Dragan, Stepanov, Redushko, Rybak. Substitutes: Voloshyn, Varyvoda, Martyuk, Harmash, Ilchenko, Strilchuk, Lykholit, Ozymai, Dobrelia, Ukhan

Referee: Martin Krikošik (Slovkia)