DONEGAL’S Seamus Coleman was named Man of the Match at the Aviva Stadium this evening as Ireland lost 1-0 to Greece in a friendly.
Giovanni Trapattoni finally gave youth a chance and while the defeat was disappointing, there is little doubt that young stars like Coleman hold the key to a brighter future for the Irish national side.
Ciaran Clark, James McCarthy, James McClean and Robbie Brady from the start and Wes Hoolahan after the break, all played well.
But Jose Holebas’ sweet 29th-minute strike was enough to win the game for the visitors.
Ireland had strong claims for a first-minute penalty waved away by Israeli referee Eitan Shmuelevitz and defender Konstantinos Stafylidis could consider himself extremely fortunate not to be penalised.
Ireland looked certain to take the lead with 10 minutes gone when full-back Seamus Coleman, whose combination with Brady proved a repeated threat down the right during the opening 45 minutes, collected the winger’s return pass and crossed.
Cox had found a yard of space and climbed to meet the ball unopposed, but he was unable to hit the target with just keeper Orestis Karnezis to beat!
But on 29 minutes Hoops man and Greek skipper Georgios Samaras turned Konstantinos Mitroglou’s pass into the path of Holebas, thumped the ball into the bottom corner.
McCarthy almost dragged Ireland back into the game two minutes into the second half when Karnezis failed to hold his long-range shot, although Papastathopoulos prevented Doyle from converting the rebound and Cox’s follow-up was blocked.
But while perspiration was not in short supply, inspiration was and the Irish failed to make the most of the possession they were allowed as the game passed the hour-mark with Greece’s narrow lead intact.
Ward hacked a 69th-minute shot harmlessly across the face of goal after the Greeks had failed to clear a McClean free-kick, and Greece coasted to the final whistle and victory with few alarms.
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