RESULT: POLAND U21 1 IRELAND U21 5
Goals: Poland: Abbott 13; Ireland: Elliott 2, 81, 87, Hoolahan 28, O’Flynn 74
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The Republic’s U21s ran out easy 5-1 winners over their hosts in a scrappy friendly in the Arka stadium, Gdynia, Poland this evening.Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott hit a hat trick against the European U21 Championship Qualifying Group 5 leaders in front of 1500 spectators.
Don Givens’ side took the lead after just two minutes through 19-year-old Elliott. Slack defending from Michal Stasiak allowed him to control and shoot from ten yards past goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, from a move initiated down the right flank.
Scarborough’s Keith Gilroy went close a few minutes later before Pawel Abbott equalised for the home side on 13 minutes.
Shelbourne’s Wes Hoolahan restored the Irish lead just before the half hour mark. The eircom League midfielder lobbed keeper Kuszczak with a deft shot before Abbott found the Irish crossbar on the half time whistle.
Waterford United’s Dan Connor saved well from Lukasza on 52 minutes, as the Poles made six changes at the break. The eircom League’s top scorer Cork’s John O’Flynn took advantage of another defensive error to make the result safe with the Republic’s third on 74 minutes. Elliott crowned his third cap with his second international goal, rounding Kuszczak to finish to an empty net seven minutes later and hit home his third on 87 minutes.