Town trio Adam McDonnell (above), Cemal Ramadan and Shane McLoughlin were all in the starting line-up as the Republic of Ireland U18s beat Luxembourg 1-0 at the Stade Terrain à Hobscheid in the first of two friendlies.
Good 1-0 win against Luxembourg! All the boys played out of there skinâš½ï¸happy to get the assistðŸ¸ðŸ€– adam mc donnell (@AdamMcDonnell97) June 2, 2015
Central midfielder McDonnell created the winning goal for Cork City striker Conor Ellis in the 56th minute with what the FAI's website described as a "brilliant through pass”.
Blues striker or midfielder Shane McLoughlin (below) was amongst those to be praised by coach Jim Crawford after the match: "Conor Ellis and Nathan Corkery both came on and did well while Shane McLoughlin did well in both the number 10 role and wide right.”
Ireland also had a first-half goal disallowed, while Ellis missed a penalty just after the hour. The two sides meet again on Thursday, also at the Stade Terrain à Hobscheid. Nothing like playing for your country ðŸ€ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ª good 1-0 win away in Luxembourg 🙌 #Eire #10 https://t.co/KbzFEnX1nm– Shane Mc Loughlin (@97Loughlin) June 2, 2015
McDonnell joined the Blues from Shelbourne on the final day of last summer's transfer window, signing a two-year deal, but was unable to play competitive football due to red tape relating to his education. Having turned 18 last month this is no longer an issue.
McLoughlin and fellow frontman Ramadan (above) have both completed their two-year academy scholarships but have been offered the opportunity to stay with Town. Republic of Ireland U18s: James Talbot, Dominic Bernard, Anthony Breslin, Danny Kane, Stephen Best, Anthony Dolan (Tom Holland 50), Cemal Ramadan (Nathan Corkery 50), Adam McDonnell, Jessie Devers, Shane McLoughlin, Graham Kelly (Alex Mulroney-Skinner 63). Ireland U18s beat Luxembourg 1-0 in a friendly international this evening: http://t.co/TrJ6VQJxfH #IrlU18 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/BHcoAiDbQG– FAI (@FAIreland) June 2, 2015