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Details

Date Time League Season
3 September 2021 3:30 pm U21 International 2021/22

Match Report

Wright stuff as Ireland 21’s win in Bosnia

Second half strikes from Tyreik Wright and Conor Coventry sealed an important three points for Jim Crawford’s U21 side in European action in Bosnia this evening.

Republic of Ireland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 away from home to give them the perfect start to their European Championship Qualifying Campaign.

It was a slow start to the first period with neither side able to break the opposition defence down. Bosnia had the games first real opportunity courtesy of Milan Savic. Dedic’s dangerous corner kick was met by Savic at the front post but his glancing header went just wide of Brian Maher’s net.

Gavin Kilkenny was vital to Jim Crawford’s charges, with the Bournemouth midfielder looking dangerous every time he got on the ball. Ireland’s best chance of the first half came through Jake O’Brien. Coventry’s free kick was met at the back post by the head of O’Brien but the centre back couldn’t direct his effort on target. Neither side were able to make the breakthrough during the first period and the game was scoreless at the interval.

Ireland started the second period at a much higher pace than they did in the first. With just over five minutes played in the second half, Kilkenny’s free kick from just outside the area was saved by Dizdarevic before Joshua Kayode was fouled by Malic inside the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot and awarded the visitors a penalty. Wright stood up and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Ireland the lead.

Bosnia pushed for an equaliser after conceding and almost got that just ten minutes after Wright’s spotkick. Dedic’s free kick from 30 yards looked destined for the back of the net but Bray Wanderers’ Brian Maher saved superbly to keep his clean sheet intact.

The Irish almost doubled their lead just moments after when Louie Watson drove through the heart of the Bosnian midfield before making a defence splitting pass into the path of Wright. The on loan Salford City man tried to dink the ball over Dizdarevic but the Bosnian goalkeeper saved well to keep the score at one nil.

Ireland did double their lead with just over a quarter of an hour left to play. Kilkenny’s corner was met by Wright who cut the ball back into the path of Ireland skipper Coventry who slotted the ball into the bottom corner to double the advantage. This well worked training ground routine will definitely please the Irish coaches and fans as the Republic of Ireland gained a valuable three points on the road.

Ireland
1Brian Maher Goalkeeper
6Conor Coventry 15 Midfielder 74'
5Oisin McEntee Defender
10Louie Watson 8 Midfielder
11Will Ferry 2 Forward 56'
7Gavin Kilkenny Midfielder 43'
9Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode 19 Forward
18Tyreik Wright Forward 52'
12Andy Lyons Defender
17Ross Tierney Midfielder 60'
13Jake O’Brien Defender
2Lee O’Connor 11 Defender
23Dan Rose Goalkeeper
4Anselmo Garcia McNulty Defender
8Conor Noss 10 Midfielder
15Ryan Johansson 6 Midfielder
21Andrew Moran Midfielder
22Colm Whelan Forward
19Evan Ferguson 9 Forward
20Dawson Devoy Midfielder

Timeline

Gavin Kilkenny 43' 
18. Tyreik Wright 52' 
Will Ferry 56' 
17. Ross Tierney 60' 
6. Conor Coventry 74' 
Louie Watson
Conor Noss		80' 
Will Ferry
Lee O'Connor		83' 
Joshua 'JJ' Kayode
Evan Ferguson		83' 
Conor Coventry
Ryan Johansson		88' 
  • 90'

    Full time and a brilliant Republic of Ireland second half gives Jim Crawford's side an important win.

  • 87'

    Johansson replaces Conor Coventry.

  • 87'

    Bosnia pushing for a late goal here still but Ireland centre halves Oisin McEntee and Jake O'Brien have been in terrific form for Jim Crawford's side this afternoon.

  • 82'

    Double change for Ireland. Kayode and Ferry are replaced by O'Connor and Ferguson.

  • 80'

    Conor Noss replaces Watson with just under ten minutes remaining.

  • 74'

    Goal for Conor Coventry. A training ground routine from the corner. Kilkenny played the ball into Wright who pulled it back to Coventry who fires it into the bottom corner.

  • 69'

    Big chance for Wright. Louie Watson with a defence splitting pass into Wright who tries to dink it over Dizdarivic but the Bosnian goalkeeper saves well.

  • 60'

    Tierney is booked for a raised arm while challenging Malic. in the air.

  • 60'

    Brian Maher with a great save to stop Dedic's free kick from 30 yards out. Bosnia starting to ask this Irish defence some questions since conceding.

  • 56'

    Will Ferry booked for Ireland.

  • 52'

    Tyreik Wright steps up and sends the keeper the wrong way. Ireland lead and a great start to the second half.

  • 51'

    Kilkenny's free kick is saved before Kayode follows up and is fouled in the area. Penalty to the visitors.

  • 50'

    Ross Tierney fouled just on the edge of the Bosnia area. Free kick for Ireland in a dangerous area.

  • 48'

    Ireland go close through Jake O'Brien. Kilkenny's free kick was met by the head of O'Brien but his effort flies over the bar. Ireland's best chance of the game so far.

  • 46'

    And we're back underway.

  • Both sides back out on the pitch ahead of the second period.

  • 45'

    Half time and neither side have been able to make the breakthrough so far.

  • 43'

    Gavin Kilkenny becomes the first Irish player in the book.

  • 39'

    Milan Savic is booked for his challenge on Will Ferry

  • 35'

    Tyreik Wright with a wonderful ball into Kayode but the Rotherham striker couldn't get onto the end of the cross.

  • 29'

    Malic booked for a foul on Tierney.

  • 25'

    Coventry's free kick finds O'Brien at the back post but the centre back can't direct his header on target.

  • 23'

    Bosnia and Hezergovina growing into the game here with Ireland being rather sloppy in possesion the last few minutes.

  • 16'

    Milan Savic gets on the end of Dedic's corner but his glancing header flies just wide of Brian Maher's net. Big let off for the visitors.

  • 10'

    Masic furious after colliding with Jake O'Brien just outside the Irish box. Referee waves play on.

  • 7'

    Both sides passing the ball around well here early on. Gavin Kilkenny looking to set the tempo for Ireland in the opening stages.

  • 1'

    And we're underway here in Bosnia.

  • Just over five minutes to go until kick off.

  • Ireland Starting XI: Maher, Lyons,McEntee, O'Brien, Ferry, Coventry, Kilkenny, Tierney, Watson, Kayode, Wright.

  • Bosnia Starting XI: Dizdarevic, Dedic, Milojevic, Barisic, Malic, Begic, I.Savic, M.Savic Basic, Kulasin, Masic.

  • Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for coverage of Republic of Ireland's first group qualifying game against Bosnia. Team news to follow shortly.

Ground

Bosnia & Herzegovina
City of Sarajevo, Sarajevo Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.