SOCCER SHORTS: Rep of Ireland Under-17 2 Denmark Under-17 2:PAUL GEORGE bagged an injury-time equaliser to secure a draw for the Republic of Ireland against Denmark in their opening Uefa Under-17 Championship Elite Qualifying Round fixture in Agii-Theodori, Greece, yesterday.
Celtic striker George – making his debut for John Morling’s side – slotted home in the 81st minute after good work from Philip Roberts.
The Danes thought they had claimed all three points when Copenhagen striker Kenneth Zohore hit the net with three minutes left.
The Irish started well and broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Roberts headed home a Smith cross. Thomas Hoban was involved in a controversial equaliser for the Danes when he was penalised for a challenge on Riza Durmisi in the 39th minute and Viktor Fisher scored from the penalty spot.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Joe Coll (Man Utd); Colm Horgan (Salthill Devon), Seán Kavanagh (Belvedere), Thomas Hoban (Watford), Steven Smith (Arsenal), Luke Gallagher (Cherry Orchard), Kenneth McEvoy (Tottenham), Darragh Lenihan (Belvedere), Philip Roberts (Arsenal), Kealan Dillon (Derby County), Sam Byrne (St Joseph's Boys). Sub: Paul George (Celtic) for McEvoy 65 mins.
Bendtner hobbles out
DENMARK MAINTAIN it is too early to say whether Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner’s ankle injury will prove serious.
The 23-year-old hobbled out of yesterday’s training session in Helsingor and needing ice packed onto his ankle before being taken back to the team hotel.
Denmark team doctor Soren Kaalund said a detailed prognosis was not yet available, with further tests scheduled ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Norway on Saturday.
De La Salle secure title
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana 0 De La Salle, Wicklow 0 (De La Salle won 8-7 on penalties)
DE LA Salle, Wicklow secured the Umbro FAIS Junior Boys’ title against Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in yesterday’s final at Oriel Park but only after a sudden-death penalty shoot-out.
The champions enjoyed the bulk of chances but the more they squandered, the more Scoil Mhuire grew in confidence.
The Donegal school had a chance to clinch the trophy during sudden death of the penalty shoot-out only for goalkeeper Andy Murphy to block Daniel Doherty’s attempt and Cian Verney converted the decisive spot-kick for De La Salle.
SCOIL MHUIRE: Harry Doherty, Batty Barber, Ryan Doherty, Peter Doherty, Bruce Waldron, Ryan Curren, Ryan Varma, Daragh O'Connor, Peter McLaughlin, Mark Timlin, Daniel Doherty.
DE LA SALLE: Andrew Murphy, Luke Earls, John Crowe, Bryan Doyle, Karl Earls, Nathan Fagan (Cian Verney 64 mins), Simon Bouchier (Luke Byrne 84 mins), Adam Cox, Mark O'Sullivan, James Kavanagh, Dylan Orr.
Referee: Michael Gallagher(Cavan)
Dundalk face Cliftonville in semi-final
SHAMROCK ROVERS will face either Sligo Rovers or Portadown in the semi-finals of the Setanta Sports Cup. Michael ONeills side booked their place in the final four with a 7-2 aggregate win over Lisburn Distillery on Tuesday night.
The draw, which took place at the Culloden Hotel in Belfast, paired Rovers with the winners of the quarter-final clash between Sligo and Portadown.
The other semi-final sees Cliftonville going up against Dundalk following their wins over Crusaders and Glentoran respectively. Cliftonville will host Dundalk in Belfast on Monday, April 2nd with the return leg at Oriel Park on Monday, April 18th.
Newcastle to discipline Best and Ireland
NEWCASTLE BOSS Alan Pardew says the club will discipline Leon Best and Stephen Ireland for visiting a city nightclub the evening before a game.
Best and Ireland issued a joint apology on Monday after a photograph of the pair and reserve team player Stephen Folan was published on the Tup Tup Palace club’s website following a visit on Friday.
The Magpies had a Premier League trip to Stoke on Saturday, and although Best and Ireland were not due to travel to the Britannia Stadium, they were nevertheless in breach of a club rule.
Best missed the Potters clash due to an ankle injury and will also be an absentee as the Republic of Ireland prepare to face Macedonia.
Pardew intends to deal with the matter when he has all three players back on Tyneside. “All I want to say on that is that as Leon Best has travelled with Ireland, we’ve not faced each other yet,” said Pardew.
“There will be discipline involved, for sure,” added Pardew.
Stokes happy to remain at Celtic
ANTHONY STOKES insists he would be happy to remain at Celtic for the rest of his career – despite claims from his father that he wants to quit. The striker’s dad, John, urged him to put in a transfer request after he was left on the bench for Sunday’s League Cup defeat to Rangers.
But Stokes, the club’s top goalscorer, says he would rather stay at Parkhead and fight for his place in Neil Lennon’s side instead.
He told the Scottish Sun: "I'm disappointed about what's happened. I don't want people to think I want to leave Celtic.
“I’ll fight for my place, that’s what football is all about. I’m completely focused on playing for Celtic.
“If it was up to me I’d be here for the rest of my career.
“I’m totally committed. I’ve got a long time left on my contract. Leaving isn’t even in the equation.”
