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Date Time League Season
7 September 2021 3:00 pm U21 International 2021/22

Match Report

Ireland 21’s held to draw in Luxembourg

The Republic of Ireland’s U21’s were held to a frustrating draw against Luxembourg in Dudelange today.

It looked like a strike from substitute Colm Whelan twenty minutes from time would ensure Ireland would get what they deserved from this one, but a penalty in the final ten from Dylan Keute meant they came away with only a point.

Although they started this one in tame fashion, Ireland were easily the better side in the first half. Will Ferry in particular was the focal point of nearly every Republic attack. The Crawley Town loanee from Southampton tested Lucas Fox in the Luxembourg goal a fair few times. While none of his efforts were particularly clear-cut chances, he was definitely emerging as the best player on the pitch early on.

Ireland looked like they would be rewarded for their efforts just after the half hour mark. Ferry was bundled over in the box by Emre Erkus and the referee pointed to the spot. Tyreik Wright stepped up to take it and went right, but his effort was saved by Fox. The Salford City loanee from Aston Villa will be disappointed not to add to his goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina last Friday. Ireland would go into the break with nothing to show for their efforts.

A different Luxembourg team came out for the second half. For the first quarter of an hour they attacked Ireland, but to no avail.

After the hour mark the Ireland of the first half seemed to come back into the action. Conor Coventry in particular tried a fine long ranger, but Fox was behind it all the way.

Then, the reward came 20 minutes from time. Substitute Whelan was fed the ball by Bohs man Dawson Devoy. Whelan took the ball onto his left and buried it, finding the bottom left corner.

This was a first international goal for the UCD man, who is in fine form in the First Division this season. It was also pleasing to see the goal come from link up play between two League of Ireland players.

Ireland must have thought they had the points, but Luxembourg had other ideas. A cross into the area from the hosts two minutes after the goal found Alessio Curci, whose effort went wide. This was an absolute sitter, but it wasn’t all she wrote.

Ten minutes from time Luxembourg got their equaliser. Oisin McEntee was called for a foul on Curci and Keute stepped up to the spot. He converted and this ensured Luxembourg got their first point of the campaign. Jim Crawford’s side will look to rebound at the next break, when they face Luxembourg again and then Montenegro.

Ireland

1Brian Maher Goalkeeper
2Lee O’Connor Defender
3Joel Bagan Defender
5Oisin McEntee Defender
6Conor Coventry 15 Midfielder 41'
7Gavin Kilkenny Midfielder
11Will Ferry 21 Forward
13Jake O’Brien Defender
18Tyreik Wright Forward 49'
19Evan Ferguson 22 Forward
20Dawson Devoy 8 Midfielder
23Dan Rose Goalkeeper
4Anselmo Garcia McNulty Defender
8Conor Noss 20 Midfielder
9Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode Forward
12Andy Lyons Defender
15Ryan Johansson 6 Midfielder
17Ross Tierney Midfielder
21Andrew Moran 11 Midfielder
22Colm Whelan 19 Forward 70'
  • 95'

    Nothing comes from it. Full time.

  • 94'

    Deflected out for a corner.

  • 94'

    Late free on the edge of the area for Ireland...

  • 90'

    Five minutes added on.

  • 82'

    Goal. Dylan Keute ties it up from the spot.

  • 80'

    Penalty to Luxembourg.

  • 74'

    Seems like he will continue.

  • 74'

    Lee O'Connor is now down receiving treatment.

  • 72'

    Luxembourg miss a sitter. Ireland let off the hook here.

  • 70'

    Goal! Ireland take the lead through substitute Colm Whelan! A great strike from the UCD man!

  • 66'

    Coventry with a long range attempt. Effort was saved by Fox.

  • 60'

    At the hour mark. Second half has been a bit more even. Frustrating afternoon for Ireland so far.

  • 49'

    Wright booked for a foul.

  • 46'

    Ireland get us back underway for the second half.

  • 45'

    Half time. Ireland have been the better team but are yet to find the breakthrough.

  • 41'

    Coventry booked for a foul.

  • 32'

    Tyreik Wright has a penalty saved. Penalty was awarded for a foul on Ferry.

  • 30'

    At the half hour mark. Been all Ireland so far. Will Ferry has popped up with a few chances.

  • 28'

    Stoppage in play as there is a Luxembourg injury.

  • 23'

    Good spell of Irish pressure. Jim Crawford's side coming more into it now.

  • 15'

    Ferry with a good chance. Effort doesn't test Fox, however.

  • 10'

    Not much to report on so far. Both teams settling into the game.

  • 1'

    We are underway.

  • Jim Crawford on Evan Ferguson: “He’s come in and he hasn’t looked one bit out of place, that’s for sure. He’s been excellent in training. There are even crossing and finishing drills that he’s been excellent with his movement. For somebody so young, he has a good understanding of the game." (via The Irish Times)

  • There are three changes to the Irish team that won in Bosnia last Friday. Jim Crawford has handed U21 debuts to Joel Bagan, Dawson Devoy and Evan Ferguson.

  • The Irish team is now in.

  • Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for today's coverage of the Republic of Ireland's U21's away game to Luxembourg, I'm Seán Comber and I'll be updating you on today's events.

Past Meetings

(Matchday 2)
0 - 1
Men's Senior
Aviva Stadium

Republic of Ireland v Luxembourg

Ground

Stade Josy Barthel
Stade Josy Barthel, Route d\'Arlon, Belair, Luxembourg, Canton Luxembourg, 2271, Luxembourg

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