Northern Ireland’s Under-15s competed well against their French counterparts in two friendlies played in France this week.
They recorded a draw and a narrow 1-0 defeat in a double header at Clairefontaine, the French Football Federation’s national training centre located 50km south-west of Paris.
In the first game the young Northern Ireland team started the game well and were disciplined and organised in their shape. They frustrated the opposition, limiting them to very few opportunities in the final third.
However, France took the lead on 30 minutes when they caught Northern Ireland on the break and midfielder Imran Gribi produced a good finish from outside the box.
Northern Ireland came out in the second half with more confidence and belief. They pressed the opposition higher and enjoyed long periods of possession.
On 77 minutes Northern Ireland deservedly equalised through a well taken headed goal from Conleth O’Neill.
Northern Ireland broke down the right and an excellent first time cross from captain Gus Murdock was met by O’Neill who headed the ball back across the goalkeeper firmly into the bottom corner.
Northern Ireland continued to push for a winner but in the end the game ended in a 1-1 draw which was the very least the Northern Ireland side deserved, especially after their second half performance.
Starting line-up: Luke Bellingham, Gus Murdock (captain), Daithi Holleran, Cohen Ennis, Eoghan Mallon, JB Camlin, Luca Hall, Calum Evans, Jayden Buchanan, Alfie Davidson, Dara Donnan.
Substitutes: Kaysan Braniff, Eoin McCann, Corey McCartney, Shea Donnelly, Will Davison, Benjamin McKnight, Conleth O’Neill, Quinn Milligan, Michael Ihmig.
For the second match coach Michael McClean made eight changes to the side that started the first game. Kaysan Braniff, Corey McCartney, Shea Donnelly, Will Davison, Benjamin McKnight, Conleth O’Neill, Michael Ihmig and Quinn Milligan all came in to the team.
The first half was a tight affair with neither team able to create any clearcut opportunities. The only real chance in the half came when France caught Northern Ireland on the counter-attack but goalkeeper Kaysan Braniff did well to come out to smother the danger.
The second half continued in the same vein with both teams having periods of possession and a number of set pieces, however neither team could provide any cutting edge in the final third.
The game looked like it was drifting towards a draw when France scored the winner on 66 minutes. Northern Ireland failed to deal with the second phase from a corner kick and French winger Eddy Didier punished them from close range.
In the closing stages Northern Ireland pushed for an equaliser but despite their best efforts France secured the win.
Starting line-up: Kaysan Braniff, Corey McCartney, Gus Murdock, Shea Donnelly, Cohen Ennis, Will Davison, Luca Hall (captain), Benjamin McKnight, Conleth O’Neill, Quinn Milligan, Michael Ihmig.
Substitutes: Luke Bellingham, Eoin McCann, JB Camlin, Calum Evans, Dara Donnan, Alfie Davidson, Eoghan Mallon, Daithi Holleran, Jayden Buchanan.
Afterwards coach Michael McClean said: “Overall this was a really positive camp with two very positive performances.
“At times we had to be disciplined and organised, as you would expect against a French team. However, we also showed good quality on the ball for long periods. It was a great experience for the young players to play against this level of opposition.”
Action from France
