SOCCER:REPUBLIC OF Ireland Under-19 goalkeeper Aaron McCarey is proud to have amassed 291 minutes of competitive international football without conceding a goal, but isn't concerned if his record ends tonight once a result is achieved against Greece.
Paul Doolin’s side go into the European Championship finals opener in Buftea on the outskirts of Bucharest with their reputation for a steely defence intact following shut-outs against Poland, Ukraine and Italy in the last elite qualifying phase held in May.
Ireland’s 3-0 win over Italy in the deciding fixture clinched a first under-19 finals appearance since 2002.
Key to their success has been the role played by the 19-year-old Monaghan stopper, one of Mick McCarthy’s many Irish signings at Wolves.
An ever-present in competitive fixtures since Doolin took charge at the start of the campaign, he admits tonight’s task of shackling a Greece attack that dumped France out on their way to a maximum nine-point haul in the qualification stage will be a tough challenge but one they are ready to face. “I think I’m the only Ireland player in the tournament that has played every minute of every match so far,” said the former Monaghan United custodian who also represented his county in the GAA minor championship.
“It’s (the record) is not too bad. I have great credit to the rest of the team; as I said, it is a team game. I’m only there to do my job and as long as I do my job I’m happy. I don’t care if we win 4-3 or 3-1 or 1-0, as long as we get the win or the points we need to go about our business.
“We’re not a one-man team though. It is a group of players from one to 18. We’ve got a great squad and if you are not in the team you can understand why. Different people have different roles to play and it is going to take everyone, from now until the end of the tournament, to achieve success.
“I think great credit has to go to Paul (Doolin) for doing that. He has come in, made us organised and playing together as a unit.
“We’re very well organised defensively – but that is nothing against (the previous manager) Seán McCaffrey as he was superb at his job too.
“It is just different managers think different things. We’re a very well organised team and it’s going to take a good team to beat us in this tournament.”
With two of the four nations in a group which also includes Czech Republic and hosts Romania progressing into the semi-final, there is some room for error over the three pool matches.
But manager Doolin is not contemplating anything except a positive outcome from this opening dual.
“Whether it’s at under-19 level, under-21s or senior level, if you lose your first game it makes things very difficult. There is no doubt about that,” he affirmed.
Doolin’s emphasis on defensive solidity has followed him throughout his coaching career and he takes no offence at his side’s style being likened to that of Giovanni Trapattoni’s seniors.
“Since I have come into the international team I have been like that, anyway,” he said.
“I have been told many times that I was a negative or defensive coach, but it has always been organisation.
“If you look now, it is a big feature of the senior team that they are not conceding goals. And if you don’t concede goals you always have a chance.
“It’s not because I came into the international team – I am doing exactly the same things that I would have done from Drogheda United to Cork City.
“It is a big feature nowadays. Organisation is a huge thing in the game. If you are loose and open you find it hard to win games the higher the level you go up. And this is a decent level.”
Republic of Ireland V Greece
Tonight, Buftea, Romania Kick-off – 7pm (Irish)
REP OF IRELAND (probable):McCarey (Wolves); Doherty (Wolves), Egan (Sunderland), O'Connor (Blackburn Rovers), Williams (Aston Villa); Carruthers (Aston Villa), O'Sullivan (Blackburn Rovers), Ferdinand (Southend United), Hendrick (Derby County), Forde (Wolves); Murphy (Bray Wanderers).
