Academy midfielder Jonathan Leddy scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland U17s as they drew 1-1 in their second friendly against Serbia in Wexford this afternoon. The Cavan-based youngster, who was one of this summer’s intake of first-year scholars, netted the equaliser after a freekick was laid off to him just outside the area.
Leddy, who is said to have impressed and to have influenced the game more the longer it continued, was winning his second U17 cap, having come on as a sub in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to the Serbs.
Ireland probably ought to have won today’s game, missing a penalty and with their opponents ending the game with 10 men.
The two friendlies were warm-ups for the first phase qualifiers for the UEFA U17 Championship which will be played in Kazakhstan from October 18th-24th, where Ireland face Liechtenstein, the hosts and the Czech Republic in a qualification mini-group.
Republic of Ireland U17s: Fagan (Coventry City), Long (Cherry Orchard), McConnell (Glencar), R. O'Reilly (Stoke City), Finnegan (Doncaster Rovers), McGlade (Middlesbrough) (O'Neill (Wolves) 59), Wixted (Derby County) (Byrne (Manchester United) 46), Leddy (Ipswich Town), Mulroney (Crumlin United), Hayes (Derby County), Wilkinson (Millwall) (Grealish (Aston Villa) 59).