France v Ireland

Ireland finish 8th at Amputee Euro’s

The Republic of Ireland amputees concluded their campaign in the EAFF European Championship 2021 in 8th place after a 1-nil loss against France at the Garbarnia Stadium, courtesy of Billy Lunaschi’s lone goal.

Christy McElligott's boys were eager to prove some injustice in their previous results during the tournament in Kraków, by fully dominating the first 25 minutes.

France reacted in the second period, taking advantage of Lunaschi’s goal to hold the seventh spot which they brought from the previous competition in Turkey at Euro 2017.

Mickael Mavali was the first to bring some action close to the goals, with Irish goalkeeper Patrick Hutton coming off to save brilliantly.

James Boyle, the Boy in Green constantly looked for by his teammates up front, saw his powerful shot from a free-kick being cleared off the goal line by Marian Sacacol.

Ruairi Murphy was the next testing Kevin Roger from the right-wing, but the French keeper having no problems in holding it.

On the other side, the clash of Hutton vs. Mavali had another chapter, and yet again with the same ending as Hutton kept the Irish goal safe with a class slap.

Boyle had on his foot on the last opportunity before the break, by sending off what would be an astonishing acrobatic goal.

The Gauls returned with a whole different attitude from the dressing room, creating serious danger close to Ireland’s goalmouth early in the second period.

Tristan Diaz brought an immediate opportunity as he missed a clear chance inside the Irish box to dismantle the 0-0.
Billy Lunaschi showed more accuracy in the 35th minute as he put France in the lead with a finish from inside of the box.

After Lunaschi’s second yellow card, the Boys in Green came forward in power looking to force extra-time; Kevan O’Rourke came the closest to accomplish it as he hit the target with a power full effort, cleared away by Kevin Roger who held France’s seventh place until the end.

Ireland v Italy

Italy punish Ireland amputees in Extra-time

Ireland lost their first attempt to guarantee their presence in the next Amputee World Cup with a 3-1 loss after extra time to Italy in the EAFF European Championship 2021 5th-8th playoffs, confirmed by Francesco Messori’s double and Emanuele Leone.

James Boyle still managed to push all the decisions into extra time with a last-minute goal, but the Italians sealed their victory during the extra 20 minutes.

The Boys in Green will now try to take out the best from the 7th-8th playoffs when they meet France, who got beaten by England on a 3-nil score-line.

The Squadra Azzurra reduced the Irish side to defensive works during the opening spell, as they came eager to guarantee the ticket to the next big tournament at early doors. 

Ultimately, they managed to put it through in the eighth minute as a perfect through ball found Francesco Messori in the box, and he put it past James Conroy with a clean finish.

The Irish reaction came immediately through Garry Hoey, with his long-shot forcing the Italian goalkeeper to slap it away.

Ruairi Murphy was the next interested in putting Ireland back on track as he saw his attempt from the right-wing being easily chested down by the keeper, who got his reflexes tested by Hoey from a freekick close to the break.

The second 25 minutes started with a great chance for Kevan O’Rourke to bring the tie 1-all as he sent the ball off just with the keeper to beat.

The Irish got their troops on the Italian side and closed the circle looking for the equaliser, with James Boyle digging it out during the last minute of regular time; as he sent in a clinical finish from inside of the box. 

The Irish happiness, however was brief, as Francesco Messori enjoyed a perfect cross during the first minute of extra-time to send home a nice header.

With all the numbers up front, James Conroy made his name known by denying the Italian intentions with a hand of brilliant stops, but there was nothing he could have done to stop Emanuele Leone’s 3-1 in the 60th minute, confirming the Italian presence in the next World Cup. 

Russia v Republic of Ireland

Germany v Belgium

Republic of Ireland v Germany

Belgium v Russia

Russia v Germany

Ireland v Belgium