Milford’s Morgan and Ireland lose out to Brazil in U15 World Cup
A Milford native, Jake Morgan was part of the Republic of Ireland squad that topped their qualifying group, but they lost out to Brazil in the last 32
The Republic of Ireland Under-15s, with Milford’s Jake Morgan in the squad, have agonisingly lost out to Brazil in the last 32 at the Under-15 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The side, managed by FAI International Coaches Graham Gartland and Richie Smith, topped their Qualification Group C, with a 4-0 win over Montenegro and a 5-3 win over Zimbabwe first.
They then drew 3-3 with Nicaragua before back-to-back 4-1 wins over England and Cambodia to finish top and see them reach Tier A of the Tournament and get into the last 32.
But a difficult draw against Brazil, who won all five of their group games, saw them lose out 7-2. The tournament doesn’t end there, however, with placing matches to come, as Ireland will face Northern Ireland in a bid to finish in the top 24 out of 189 participating countries.
Jake’s mother, Lynette McPaul, is a cousin of former Donegal Under-20 manager Shaun Paul Barrett of Milford, while his father, Gareth, is a brother of former England cricket captain Eoin Morgan.
The pair have lived in Bunlin, Milford for the past 20 years.
Jake is a goalkeeper for Coleraine and has come through at Milford United, Sion Swifts and Derry City Academy.
He was part of the Loreto Community School, Milford side that won the All-Ireland Under 15 Schools title earlier this year.