Malta 0-5 Republic of Ireland
Pilkington 4
Murray 66 (pen)
Tidim 67
Kelly 74
Connolly 78
Vincent Butler's Republic of Ireland Under-16s blew away Easter tournament hosts Malta in Valetta yesterday. Ireland play Turkey in their final game and that game is the tournament decider as both teams have beaten Italy and Malta.
Tim Pilkington scored on his debut for Ireland inside four minuteswith a nice goal. Pilkington was born in New Zealand and is with German team SC Freiburg recently opted for Ireland through having parents born here.
The Irish youngsters wasted a hatful of chances and went in at the break just one goal to the good. It took a until the 66th minute for the Irish to score again Arklow Town youth Shane Murray converting a spot kick.
Selcuk Tidim scored for his fifth International match in a row with a superb long effort that had the crowd in awe. The last 2 goals came through Oliver Kelly and Ryan Connolly.
Vincent Butler told FAI.ie.
"We created lots of chances on another day we might have had more goals to show for our efforts.
"These were two good wins against Italy and Malta. Tomorrow's match against Turkey will be difficult they have already beaten us twice on their home pitch earlier in the season and have a lot of quality in their side."
Ireland:
Aaron McCarey (Monaghan United), Leigh Swords (Belvedere), Danny Fitzsimons (Millwall), John Egan (Greenwood), Mark O'Brien (Cherry Orchard), Anthony Bolger (St. Kevin's Boys), Eoin Wearan (St. Kevin's Boys), Stephen McDonnell (Quay Celtic), Ryan Connolly (Derby County), Tim Pilkington (SC Freiburg), Selcuk Tidim (FC St.Pauli).
Substitutes:
Sean Stewart (St. Kevin's Boys) and Shane Murray (Arklow Town) for Bolger and Wearan (45 mins), Danny Joyce (Belvedere) and Oliver Kelly (Reading) for McDonnell and Swords (50 mins), Sean Skelly (Belvedere) for Pilkington (65 mins) and Anthony O'Connor (Kilreen Celtic) for O'Brien (75 mins)