Sport

The Irish News Archive - Oct 10 1998: Late goal by Celtic’s Colin Healy keeps Irish hopes alive

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr
Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr

UEFA U18 qualifier Republic of Ireland 1 Russia 0

A DRAMATIC goal in the final minute from Celtic’s Colin Healy last night saw the Republic of Ireland youth progress to a two legged play-off against Northern Ireland having qualified top of their group ahead of the Russians.

The Irish had pressurised the visitors throughout the game and it looked like the goal that they needed to overcome the Russians, who stood on top of the group at six points, ahead of Ireland with four points going into the game.

A busy start from Brian Kerr’s team was maintained throughout the game without creating any real problems for the opposition.

The closest the Irish came in the opening quarter of the game was a Richie Baker header and a long distance effort from Sean Byrne.

On the half hour mark Baker was involved again when he collided with the Russian keeper and collapsed to the ground.

He was stretchered off with a splint on his legs to be replaced by Padraig Brew.

As the Irish continued to pressurise the Russian goal they produced a couple of close efforts however nothing which was to cause a very well organised, quick Russian defence any problems. The two teams went in scoreless at half-time.

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A THIRD Irish rugby player has tested positive for drug taking.

Having earlier in the week insisted Irish rugby was squeaky clean before going on to admit first one and then two offenders, yesterday’s admission of a third inregularity shifted the goalposts even further, as well as leaving the IRFU looking unprofessional and ill-informed.

It now appears that of the three cases, the first has already been dismissed by the Independent Drugs Tribunal while the second, which involves an Irish international who played in one of last season’s Five Nations matches, is to be forwarded to the tribunal.

The latest “adverse finding” (an IRFU term) yesterday is understood to stem from a European Cup match last season and is the one currently under review by the tribunal.

The identity of the three players, or indeed even the competition or date of the matches they participated in, has not been revealed.

The IRFU President came under relentless pressure yesterday to reveal the identity of the players or at least to provide some explanation how the IRFU were not made aware of these positive results until Tuesday afternoon.

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AT the Cumann Peil Gael na mBan function in the Burlington Hotel last Sunday, the 1998 Allstars saw Waterford collect one more award than fellow All-Ireland finalists Monaghan.

Jenny Greenan, the Monaghan captain, collected her fifth award in a row, Margaret Kierans her third and Eileen McElvaney her second as the Magheracloone duet Edel Byrne and Niamh Kindlon opened their account.

Down’s Michaela Doherty was honoured with a replacement award.

1998 Ladies Allstar team: Patricia Bohan (Laois), Eileen McElvaney (Monaghan), Siobhain O Ryan (Waterford), Noirin Walsh (Waterford), Anna Lisa Crotty (Waterford), Anne Marie Denehy (Meath), Niamh Kindlon (Monaghan), Christine Heffernan (Mayo), Jenny Greenan (Monaghan), Maggie Kierans (Monaghan), Eden Byrne (Monaghan), Christine O’Brien (Meath), Rebecca Hallahan (Waterford), Aine Wall (Waterford), Geraldine O’Ryan (Waterford)