Details

Date Time League Season
8 October 2021 5:15 pm U21 International 2021/22

Match Report

Kayode and Coventry goals give Ireland Lux’ win

The Republic of Ireland U21’s secured their second win of the group stage over Luxembourg in Tallaght today.

A goal inside the first 20 minutes from JJ Kayode and a second half penalty from skipper Conor Coventry secured the win for Jim Crawford’s men.

The scoreline would suggest this was close, but in reality Ireland were dominant while never entering first gear. They started this game on the frontfoot and ended in the same fashion. From the go, Tyreik Wright and Liam Kerrigan on his debut were attacking Luxembourg down the wing.

This pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Wright got the ball just inside the area. After some nice footwork, he beat his man and drilled a cross in. JJ Kayode met the low drilled cross for a tap in and gave Ireland the lead.

Ireland stayed in cruise control for the rest of the half. Luxembourg only threatened from frees and whenever he was called, Brian Maher answered. It never truly felt like Luxembourg had a path back into this one.

Ireland ramped back up the pressure after half time and it was the usual suspects back at it. Wright and Kerrigan linked up in the 47th minute when Wright cut in and with his left peg poked a through ball for Kerrigan to run onto. While it was the right idea and the two were clearly on the same page, there was just a small bit too much pace on the pass and Kerrigan couldn’t get onto the end of it. It did become clear however in the coming minutes that a second was inevitable.

This paid off in the 62nd minute, after McGuinness dispossessed Dylan Keute and the ball was played through to Kerrigan, who was fouled in the box. It must be said that McGuinness was fortunate: he had been booked for a foul on Keute a few minutes prior and upon review, should’ve received a second for this foul.

Nevertheless, Ireland had made their own luck. Conor Coventry stepped up and put it down the middle. Whilst there was fortune involved, it was nothing less than what Ireland involved.

Ireland continued to calmly control for the remainder. The only negative came in injury time, when a foul from Keute forced Wright off. This hopefully is nothing serious for Jim Crawford, who already is likely to have a depleted side due to Covid restrictions against Montenegro Tuesday.

Ireland

1Brian Maher Goalkeeper
2Lee O’Connor Defender
3Joel Bagan Defender
4Mark McGuinness Defender 58'
6Conor Coventry Midfielder 64'
7Gavin Kilkenny 20 Midfielder
9Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode 8 Forward 18'
13Jake O’Brien Defender
14Liam Kerrigan 15 Midfielder
17Ross Tierney 19 Midfielder
18Tyreik Wright 21 Forward 89'
23David Odumosu Goalkeeper
5Oisin McEntee Defender
8Conor Noss 9 Midfielder
11Ronan Boyce Defender
15Alex Gilbert 14 Midfielder
19Evan Ferguson 17 Forward
20Dawson Devoy 7 Midfielder
21Andrew Moran 18 Midfielder
22Colm Whelan Forward
  • 96'

    Full time. Ireland put the disappointment of Dudelange behind them.

  • 94'

    Fox denies Noss one on one. Devoy has a chance from the ensuing corner that's deflected out.

  • 92'

    Andy Moran is on.

  • 92'

    He comes off. Likely an after effect of Keute's challenge. Hopefully nothing serious.

  • 90'

    Six additional minutes. Wright has also gone down off the ball.

  • 89'

    Wright is fouled but reacts excessively to the challenge. Gets booked,

  • 88'

    Maher is finally called into action and denies Keute one on one. Very good goalkeeping.

  • 87'

    Noss takes his own free but hits the wall. Wright can't find anyone from the ensuing corner.

  • 85'

    For Dawson Devoy.

  • 85'

    Kilkenny is also off.

  • 85'

    The aforementioned Gilbert is on.

  • 85'

    Kerrigan comes off on his debut.

  • 85'

    Both Wright and Noss (again) are fouled outside the area in a dangerous position.

  • 84'

    Gilbert getting ready to come on.

  • 81'

    And Wright nearly beats Fox at his near post. Good goalkeeping from Fox.

  • 80'

    Noss fouled on the edge of the box. Free in a dangerous position for Ireland.

  • 78'

    Noss comes inside and hits one. Mishits it, but has had a positive impact since coming on.

  • 75'

    Luxembourg make another double sub.

  • 70'

    Noss and Ferguson come on.

  • 70'

    Kayode and Tierney come off.

  • 69'

    Double sub upcoming for Ireland.

  • 67'

    Latic booked for the visitors. Seemed a tackle born out of frustration.

  • 65'

    Resumption of play is halted as Luxembourg make a double sub.

  • 64'

    Coventry puts it down the middle! Nothing less than what Ireland deserve.

  • 62'

    Penalty Ireland! Kerrigan is fouled after bursting into the box. Comes in somewhat controversial fashion after Ireland broke after Keute goes down from a challenge from McGuiness, but Coventry steps up.

  • 59'

    McGuinness booked for fouling Keute.

  • 58'

    Ireland have a collection of chances but just can't put it in. Feels like a matter of when and not if Ireland get a second.

  • 55'

    Lucas Fox in the Luxembourg net is booked for time wasting, despite the fact his side is losing and there's 35 minutes to play.

  • 51'

    Wright bursts into the box but just can't make it count. He's given the opposition fits all day.

  • 49'

    Bagan's deflected cross finds Kerrigan at the back post who just can't keep it down. Bright start to the half for Ireland.

  • 47'

    Wright cuts inside and threads a through ball to Kerrigan, who just can't get on the end of it.

  • 46'

    Ireland get us underway for the final 45. No changes for either side at the break.

  • 45'

    Half time. Ireland lead at the break.

  • 43'

    Luxembourg were putting Ireland under pressure from a free, but Brian Maher storms out and collects the ball.

  • 37'

    Lee O'Connor has his shirt dragged and then gets tripped on the attack. Rossler gets booked for Luxembourg.

  • 36'

    Kilkenny fires in a free kick that doesn't find anyone.

  • 29'

    Luxembourg get a free header in the box but don't make it count. Sloppy set piece defending from Ireland.

  • 27'

    Kilkenny floats a corner to the edge of the box and Tierney headed it into the danger zone. Training ground routine that just didn't pay off.

  • 18'

    Goal! JJ Kayode taps home a Wright cross to give the boys in green a deserved lead!

  • 16'

    Now Coventry nearly gets on the end of a lay off from Tierney. Chances starting to come for the hosts.

  • 16'

    Ireland get into the box after some nice build up play on the left.

  • 10'

    O'Connor looks for Wright but can't find him. Decent start to the game from Ireland.

  • 7'

    Jake O'Brien shepherds the ball out of play.

  • 4'

    McGuinness meets Wright's corner but can't get it on target.

  • 4'

    Now a Kerrigan cross is headed out for a corner.

  • 3'

    Ireland begin brightly as Tyreik Wright's cross is defended well.

  • 1'

    Luxembourg get us underway.

  • The lineup is in. Liam Kerrigan makes his debut whilst Conor Coventry leads the line.

  • He also mentions how the players finally being able to stand for Amhrán na bhFiann in front of fans and play in front of their families will make it worth the wait and that the excitement among the group has been evident all week.

  • In his pre-match notes, Crawford stressed how much a motivator the return of fans is and how hard U21 staff and FAI personnel worked to ensure home games came later in the year so they would be able to play in front of fans.

  • There are no injuries for Jim Crawford's side either. Earlier this week, Shelbourne's Kameron Ledwidge and Derry City's Ronan Boyce joined up with the squad and all players trained as normal yesterday.

  • The boys in green play their first home game in front of fans for nearly two years today at Tallaght Stadium. Manager Jim Crawford noted in his remarks to the preview on the FAI website that "the players are really looking forward to it" and that "there was a real buzz" when they last played in front of fans in Tallaght last year.

  • Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for coverage of today's U21 European Championship qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg, I'm Seán Comber and I'll be updating you on today's proceedings.

Past Meetings

1 - 1
U21 International
Stade Josy Barthel

Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland

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

Republic of Ireland v Luxembourg

Ground

Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W

Formerly DCU Journalism, covering mainly Athlone teams for finalwhistle.ie