Jack Keaney and Edward McGinty played today as the Republic of Ireland Under-18s defeated Turkey 3-1 in the Slovakia Cup in Dunajska Luzna.
Ballyshannon-based McGinty started in goal while Donegal town’s Keaney came on as a sub in the win that sets up a third-placed play-off tomorrow against the host nation, Slovakia, for Jim Crawford’s Irish side.
Both players are on the books of Sligo Rovers. Today’s was McGinty’s first appearance in the competition while Keaney played in all three games this week, starting in the 3-1 loss to Czech Republic and coming on in the 0-0 draw with Russia.
Today, second-half goals by Cobh Ramblers defender James McSweeney and Stoke City striker Shola Ayoola secured second spot in the group for the Irish.
[adrotate group=”91″]Turkey grabbed the opening goal after just 32 seconds when Muhayer Oktay fired to the bottom corner after some hestitant Irish defending was punished dramatically.
Ireland levelled in the 48th minute when Anthony Scully took a quick corner to Kian Flanagan and he curled the ball in for the on-coming James McSweeney to arrive on cue to head brilliantly to the bottom corner.
Ayoola grabbed the winner as he was in the right place to turn home brilliantly from an excellent right wing cross by Cork City’s Alec Byrne two minutes into injury-time in the game, which was played over 80 minutes.
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