The Ireland U15s have beaten Hungary at Abbotstown

Earlier today we’ve learnt the make up of Ireland's U21 group for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers and while there will be some familiar names in Jim Crawford’s squad there will also be fresh faced additions. It is just the way of underage football, the cycle just continues year on year.

And our youngest age group the U15s had a great win against Hungary in Abbotstown this afternoon on one of their first steps into the international domain. Manager Jason Donohue will have been pleased with how the lads responded after going behind on the hour. Goals from Shamrock Rovers Maxim Afonin and a last minute penalty from Derry City’s Jamie O’Donnell sealed the friendly win with the young Derry man showing courage as he had missed from the spot earlier in the half.

Jason Donohue nailed it when he summed up the importance of games at this level.

For Jamie (O’Donnell) to take responsibility of the penalty after missing one earlier is a show of great character and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to develop their character as that’s a big part of football.

Ireland: Byrne (Clarke,70’), Culleton (Ennis, 46’), Afonin, Marshall (Nicholls, 70’), O’Halloran (Nolan, 46’), O’Dwyer, Lynch (Fay, 60’), Collins (Aliyev, 60), Zeller (Daly, 60’), Echefu (Ellis, 46’), Quinn (C) (O’Donnell, 70’)

Republic of Ireland Boys Under-15 Squad

Goalkeepers: Alex Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Sebastian Clarke (St. Patrick’s Athletic).

Defenders: Maxim Afonin (Shamrock Rovers), Alex Culleton (Shamrock Rovers), Rian Ennis (Shamrock Rovers), Jayden Marshall (Shamrock Rovers), Ben Nicholls (Bohemians), Charlie Nolan (Shamrock Rovers), Daniel O’Halloran (St. Patrick’s Athletic).

Midfielders: Aydin Aliyev (SpVgg Greuther Furth), Johnny Collins (Shamrock Rovers), Ciaran Daly (Shamrock Rovers), Blake Lynch (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Josh O’Dwyer (Shamrock Rovers), Bobby Zeller (Shamrock Rovers).

Forwards: Jonathan Echefu (Galway United), Corey Fay (Shamrock Rovers), Liam Kelly (Derry City), Jamie O’Donnell (Derry City), Archie Quinn (Shamrock Rovers).