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Czech Republic 0 – 2 Republic of Ireland

REPUBLIC of Ireland U18 Head Coach Paul Doolin has hailed his young squad after their impressive 2-0 friendly victory over Czech Republic in Libcice nad Vltauou today.

Goals by Cobh Ramblers striker Ryan Goldsmith and West Bromwich Albion’s Jack Hallahan helped claim the victory.

Ireland’s preparations were hampered by an injury to starting keeper Peter Burke in the warm-up but Harry Doherty stepped in and produced an accomplished display.

Wexford Youths striker Daryll Power had the first serious effort of the game in the 21st minute but he fired narrowly off target the Czech playmaker Jan Suchan had a strike saved by Doherty.

The Irish went ahead on 29 minutes when Goldsmith found the net with a brilliant left-footed free-kick.

St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Jack Bayly came close to extending that lead with a 34th minute effort that flew across the goal-mouth and six minutes later Suchan shot just wide from a free-kick for the Czechs.

Goldsmith came close with a strike early in the second half and Everton’s Harry Charsley then had a 50th minute shot saved.

Substitute Gareth McCaffery was unlucky not to cap off a fine move in the 62nd minute after connecting with a cross by Liam Flatley after good work in the build-up by Chris Flanagan.

Hallahan wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute when he produced a clever finish after an excellent Irish move.

“It was a very good performance. The goals we conceded on Tuesday weren’t great but I knew it would be tough as we only met the lads on Saturday whereas the Czechs have a full programme and meet four times a month,” said Doolin.

“It was a fantastic result and very good to keep a clean sheet. We scored two fantastic goals from Ryan Goldsmith and Jack Hallahan.

“We came here not knowing much about opposition but we did very well. The defending was excellent Dylan Barnett, Jamie Mulhall and Sean Heaney all did well – everybody worked very hard and we had to deal with their physicality. They were aggressive and strong.

“It’s a fantastic result. It’s incredible how much access the Czechs have with their U18s. The Czechs had periods of domination in the first half but we put in a very good display. It’s been a decent week.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Harry Doherty (Charlton Athletic),Dylan Barnett (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sean Heaney (Shamrock Rovers), Chris Flanagan (Finn Harps), Harry Charsley (Everton), Jack Bayly (St Patrick's Athletic), Jamie Mulhall (Longford Town), Joel Coustrain (Sheffield United), Daryll Power (Wexford Youths AFC), Ryan Robinson (Shelbourne FC), Ryan Goldsmith (Cobh Ramblers).

Subs: Josh Cullen (West Ham United) for Bayly 46, Dylan Kavanagh (UCD AFC) for Coustrain 63, Liam Flatley (Sligo Rovers FC) for Goldsmith 68, Gareth McCaffery (Hibernian FC) for Power 69, Pierce Mitchell (Bristol City FC) for Mulhall 84, Jack Hallahan (West Bromwich Albion) for Barnett 79.