by Northern Ireland played some good football as they beat Scotland 3-1 in a European Under-17 Championship qualifier in Belfast.
They were particularly good after the break when they scored a few goals, created lots of chances and dominated the game.
Score
Northern Ireland U17 3-1 Scotland U17
Goal scorers
Northern Ireland: Paul McGovern (19′, 57′), Darragh McCann (50′)
Scotland: Fletcher Boyd (31′)
Venue
Sea Views, Belfast
Date
October 29, 2024
Team news
The Irish Football Association is hosting the 1st Group 8 mini-tournament from today until November 4th with four teams qualifying for the UEFA U17 Euro 2025. The venues are the Seaview Stadium in Belfast and Inver Park in Larne.
Northern Ireland U17 head coach Andy Waterworth, supported by Kris Lindsay, David Miskelly and Gareth McAuley, has selected a 20-man squad for the R1-G8 games against Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Lithuania.
In R1, the top two teams in 14 groups qualify to take part in Round 2 of League A (which will decide which seven teams will face hosts Albania in next summer’s finals), with the other teams moving to Round 2 of League B .
How it happened
The game was slow at the start. The visitors had the first clear chance of the game in the 11th minute, but captain and striker Fletcher Boyd’s shot went wide. However, his next goal was on target and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Finn McDonnell did well to keep it out.
Northern Ireland scored their first goal in the 18th minute. Joel Kerr delivered a corner that Paul McGovern parried away and powerfully headed the ball home.
McGovern (pictured) Then it was close again before Scotland equalized in the 31st minutest Minute. Lewis Carrol found Boyd and this time the skipper made no mistake with a great finish.
Scotland’s Cole Burke had a shot blocked and then shot wide before McDonnell saved well from Jamie Hislop.
Half time: Northern Ireland U17 – Scotland U17 1-1
Striker Ceadach O’Neill sent a shot wide before Northern Ireland took the lead in the 50th minuteTh Minute by Darragh McCann, who made an excellent finish after a great build-up of play.
McGovern scored his second goal in the 57th minuteTh Minute. Oisin Gamble delivered an excellent cross and McGovern’s header flew into the net.
Northern Ireland then dominated possession and could have extended their lead even further.
Scotland goalkeeper Alastair Graham brilliantly saved an O’Neill header, McGovern missed the target and then Graham parried from Joel Kerr.
Northern Ireland substitute Alexander Eakin also tried before O’Neill had another shot saved. And Graham once again saved the lively O’Neill shortly before death.
In today’s other group game, played in Larne, the Republic drew 2-2 against Lithuania.
On the second matchday on Friday (November 1st), Northern Ireland will face the Republic at 6 p.m. at Seaview, where the Scotland vs. Lithuania game will also take place on that day (lunch). And entry to both games is free.
Full time: Northern Ireland U17 – Scotland U17 3-1
Northern Ireland U17: Finn McDonnell, Darragh McCann, Oisin Gamble, Callum Leacock, Noah McDonnell, Troy Savage (captain), Joel Kerr, Matthew Burns, Ceadach O’Neill, Paul McGovern, Chris Atherton.
Substitutes: (used) Alex Watson, Alexander Eakin, Cead McGrath; (unused) Zak Robinson (TW), Scott Hamilton, Josef Orpwood, Jack Faloona, George Feeney, Luke Hawe.
Scotland U17: Alastair Graham, Euan Glasgow, Cameron Williams, Alfie Osborne, Hayden Borland, Lewis Carol, Aiden McCallion, Alexander Smith, Fletcher Boyd, Jamie Hislop, Cole Burke.
Substitutes: (used) Ceiran Loney, Cooper Masson, Josh McDonald, Jack Barr, Zander McAllister; (unused) Cameron Patterson (TW), Jack Caldwell, Callan Hamill, Lewis Marshall.
