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  General

• Thursday March 2nd, 2006 @ 17:21

HAVERTY IMPRESSES FOR IRISH UNDER 17S

NOEL HAVERTY flew home to Dublin at the weekend having sampled for the first time what it is like to play in an international football tournament for your country.

From all reports Noel did well and manager Sean McCaffrey was pleased with his performance.

The Irish lost their opening match against their French counterparts 1-0. The result was to be decisive when the final placings were to be decided. Haverty made his Irish debut in the game replacing Karl Byrne after 55 minutes.

In their next game Haverty again made his entrance from the bench coming on for Cillian Sheridan in the 70th minute. Norwich City's Michael Spillane crucially scored Ireland's winner against hosts Portugal.

In their final game the 17s defeated a good Dutch side. They won again by a 1-0 score-line, in a game that Irish manager Sean McCaffrey described as a very even contest but one in which he felt his side deserved the win because his side had created more chances. Cillan Sheridan netted the all important winner in the 53rd minute.

It was to be a memorable game for Haverty as he won his third cap for his country at this level but more importantly he made the starting line up.

However with France defeating Portugal 3-1 in their final match the Irish win was not enough to win the tournament. France topped the group with 7 points while Ireland finished in second place on 6 points.

Congratulations again to Noel and the staff of our Youth Section.