European U18 championship final: Republic of Ireland 1 Germany 1 (Ireland win 4-3 on pens)
NOT since that penalty shoot-out victory over Romania in 1990 has an Irish team been involved in something quite as enthralling as this, and just as on that occasion, it was Ireland who held their nerve to become the new under 18 European champions.
Liam George was the hero, sending Ireland’s fifth and final penalty high into the top corner of the net.
Casey, Donnelly and Barry Quinn had also put their efforts away. Robbie Keane had his attempt saved by Timo Hildebrand, but it wasn’t to matter as Alex Reilly saved Voss’ first attempt, and Schramm put his kick against the post.
“It was heart attack stuff,” said Irish manager Brian Kerr afterwards.
“Last night when we were out training, I said to Noel (Reilly) at the end that we should take a few penalties and Noel said, ‘No, don’t bother, if we get this game to penos we’ll settle for that.
“That was the way we felt, and we said we wouldn’t invite the thought, that it might be penos.”
It was an astonishing finale to a match which had everything, skill, guts and determination, a huge portion of it from Ireland, who went in front through Alan Quinn on 71 minutes, only to have to endure an equaliser from the Germans with just seconds remaining with Gensler steaming in to drive the ball home.
After all the drama, the night belongs to Ireland.
Germany: Hilderbrand, Ernst, Rapp, Lethner, Schramm, Voss, Timm, Geisler, Kehl, Gensler, Kern. Subs: Schaper for Geisler (104 mins), Majenke for Kern (82 mins).
Republic of Ireland: O’Reilly, Heary, Doyle, Dunne, Gavin, Crossley, B Quinn (capt), McPhail, Keane, George, Partridge. Subs: A Quinn for Crossley (46 mins), Donnelly for McPhail (68 mins), Casey for Partridge (94 mins)
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ON Wednesday Ards teenager Mark Craig set an Ulster senior record of 2 mins 16.95 at the National championships in the morning heats of the 200 metres breaststroke event.
The 18-year-old didn’t set another record in the evening finals – but he won in 2:18.01 ahead of Michael Williamson (Lisburn 2nd 2:18.40) and Andrew Bree (Ards 3rd 2:18.54).
In the 100 metres breaststroke event on Friday, Craig collected another Irish title, coming in second behind Iceland’s giant Olympian Hjalti Gudmundsson in 1:04.86.
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IT was a day of surprises at the South of Ireland Golf championship in sun and the rain at Lahinch yesterday when five former winners were beaten in the second round.
Also those making a fast exit were West of Ireland champion Noel Fox, former close champion Eddie Power (Kilkenny), as well as former Walker Cup player Arthur Pierse (Tipperary) who has once again failed in his persistent efforts to win this championship.
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Bangor’s Garath McGimpsey, holder of 14 titles and the outstanding amateur golfer of his era, on the other hand took a further step in his effort to add this elusive title to his list.
He beat the former hurling goalkeeper, Eoin McMahon on the 17th green.
