Regions Cup
Rep of Ireland suffer only their second defeat in 17 games.
The Rep of Ireland Region 2 opened their Group 2 UEFA Regions Cup qualifier
with a very disappointing 2-1 defeat to hosts Romania.
Ireland went in to
last nights game having only lost to Croatia in the 2017 Final in Turkey
and were confident of getting off to a good start.
However on a night of very few chances the Rep of Ireland failed to live up
to their ranking of number two in Europe against an efficient Romanian side
who took a two nothing lead with 15 minutes to go after some basic mistakes
by the Irish defense.
With four minutes to go Stephen Kelly pulled one back for the Republic
after some excellent work by Mark Horgan at the back post, but we never
really threatened the Romanian keeper who had very little to do all night.
The Rep of Ireland go in to Wednesday’s game needing all three points
against Slovakia and hope that England get a result against Romania.
Team: Brendan O’ Connell, Chris Higgins, Mark Horgan, Stephen Kelly, Danny Cockhill’s Peter Doherty
O’ Neill, Hughes O, Donovan, Savid Stack, Jimmy Carr, Tijani Albor, Eoin
Hayes, Kevin O’ Connell.
Subs: Cian O’ Connor for Kevin O’ Connell, Shane Ryan for David Stack, Cockhills James Bradley
Simon Falvey for Jimmy Carr.