Ireland u18s fail to make Euro finals - April 19, 2000

Ireland u18 0 France u18 2

It seemed Ireland had done the hard work in their two-legged play-off with France for qualification for the u18 European Championship Finals. They travelled to Brest two weeks ago and earned a creditable 0-0 draw, outplaying their hosts at times.

Last night, however, the French got their own back and beat the fancied Irish side 2-0.

France were quick out of the blocks yesterday and held the lead after ten minutes when centre-forward Cisse got on the end of a lofted pass from midfielder Maton before turning and shooting past Tranmere Rovers' Joe Murphy.

The away goal lifted France's confidence and they took control of the game through midfield. It took Ireland until the second half before they created a clear-cut chance. Everton's Gary Dempsey had a shot cleared off the line and then Thomas Butler produced a powerful shot which Penneteau did well to save.

Brendan McGill had the ball in the goal from the resulting corner but it was disallowed when John O'Shea was adjudged to have been pushing in the box.

France also had a goal disallowed before Ireland got a gild-edged chance of pulling things level on the night when Keith Foy was felled in the box. Foy decided to take the penalty himself but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.

As Ireland pushed on for the equaliser late in the game they were caught on the counter. Cisse ran straight at the Irish defence before laying of the ball to Maton who expertly finished past Murphy to seal the win for France.