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Ireland’s U18s win Euro soccer title

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Mark Jones

Ireland 1, Germany 1

(Ireland won, 4-3, on penalties)

The success story that is Irish underage soccer continues. Not content with a recent win in the European Under 16 championship and a third place at the World Under 20 championship, the Under 18s captured the European title with a magnificent victory over Germany in Larnaca, Cyprus, last Sunday.

Under pressure during the first half, the Irish took the lead with a goal by Alan Quinn a quarter of an hour from the end, but just when glory was in sight the Germans equalized an agonizing 10 seconds from full-time.

In sweltering heat, there were no more goals in extra-time. However, Ireland kept their composure in a dramatic penalty shoot-out and striker Liam George struck the vital kick after Germany had missed twice.

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For manager Brian Kerr, who has coached all three underage teams, this latest success represented a superb achievement.

“It was difficult when we were ahead in the penalty shoot-out,” said Kerr, “because after winning the Under 16 championship I was thinking that this was too good to be true. This was a bit crazy.”

The Irish path to the final hadn’t been easy. An initial 5-2 victory over Croatia was tempered by a 2-1 loss to England. But then Cyprus were beaten 3-0 in the final group game and Croatia did Kerr’s players a huge favor by beating England.

Inspired by senior international Robbie Keane, Ireland had much the better of the second half in the final against Germany. Following Quinn’s goal, they had several chances to wrap the match up.

“That late German goal was heartbreaking,” Kerr said. “These are amazing young players and to stick with it from then on was great.”

The fortunes of the senior soccer team may not be great at the moment, but it’s clear now the talent is coming.

The future is bright, the future is green.

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