Republic of Ireland 4
Israel 2

Denis Hurley reports from Turner’s Cross

THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland produced an assured display to see off Israel at Turner’s Cross today and ensure they finished with maximum points from their 2020 Uefa U17 European Championship qualifying first phase.

Having already guaranteed progression to the second phase with wins over Andorra and Montenegro, victory was not essential for Colin O’Brien’s side but they were still too strong for Israel.

Dor David Turgeman’s late goal looked to be sending the visitors through in second place on goal difference but Montenegro struck late for a 2-0 win over Andorra in St Colman’s Park in Cobh to advance instead.

Israel almost had an early chance as Bar Nuhi crossed for Ebrahem Bader, but Ireland captain Gavin O’Brien did enough to avert danger and from there the hosts were in control.

Ireland had the lead in the 17th minute as Omotayo Adaramola played a good ball up the line for Oliver O’Neill, who cut in from the left and finished past Dvir Nir with a good low finish.

Ben McCormack almost made it 2-0 coming up to half-time as he tried to get on the end of an O’Brien ball but Ellay Yacob Shafiki put him off with a challenge, albeit unfairly in the eyes of the Irish bench.

However, it mattered little as the lead was doubled in injury time, defender Anselmo Garcia McNulty heading his second goal in two games following a McCormack corner. It was 3-0 within five minutes of the second half, McCormack the provider for Sinclair Armstrong to head home.

While Israel pulled one back through Shafiki from a corner on 52 minutes, Ireland restored the three-goal advantage as McCormack – who had just been denied by a brilliant Dvir Nir save – played in Evan Ferguson, who shot low to the net.

Ferguson and substitute Calum Kavanagh went close to more goals for Ireland and news from Cobh of Montenegro going ahead meant Israel were heading out. Turgeman’s goal turned things in their favour but the late Montenegran goal eliminated them.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Daniel Rose (Everton); Gavin O’Brien (Bohemians), Oisín Hand (Shamrock Rovers), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Wolfsburg), Omotayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace); Colin Conroy (Bohemians), Oran Crowe (Cork City); Sinclair Armstrong (Shamrock Rovers), Ben McCormack (St Patrick’s Athletic), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham); Evan Ferguson (Bohemians).

Subs: Robert Mahon (Bohemians) for Armstrong (68), Andrew Moran (Bray Wanderers) for McCormack, Mohammed Olabosun Lawal (Watford) for Conroy (both 76), Kailin Barlow (Sligo Rovers) for O’Neill, Calum Kavanagh (Middlesbrough) for Ferguson (both 83).

ISRAEL: Dvir Nir; Ellay Yacob Shafiki, Ismail Soboh, Ariel Belson; Bar Nuhi, Ilay Madmoun, Dor David Turgeman, Anar Ushmandi, Romi Cohen; Ron Arie, Ebrahem Bader.

Subs: Osher Eliyahu for Arie (53), Amit Kodman for Cohen (74), Omer Senior for Bader (90).

Referee: Mario Zebec (Croatia).

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