Lonergan's winner keeps Ireland's U21 European Championship qualification hopes alive
Tommy Lonergan was the hero as Ireland beat Kazakhstan in the UEFA Under 21 European Qualifier at Turner's Cross, Cork Photo: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon
Waterford FC striker Tommy Lonergan scored an 86th winning penalty as Republic of Ireland Under 21s kept alive their chances for qualification for next summer’s European Championships in Albania and Serbia with an exciting 4-3 over Kazakhstan on Tuesday evening in Turner’s Cross, Cork.
Jim Crawford’s team had the worst possible start to the must-win game when they went behind after just 14 seconds but they battled back superbly and eventually won thanks to an 86th-minute penalty won, and converted, by Lonergan.
After Ireland turned the score around with goals from Alex Murphy and Jamie Mullins, the visitors equalised through a superb strike. Sam Curtis put Ireland back into the lead early in the second half but slack defending from a long throw allowed Kazakhstan in for another equaliser in the 52nd minute.
Ireland threw everything at the visitors in the remaining time as they went in search of the win they needed. Crawford made a number of changes to introduce attack-minded players on to the pitch, former Waterford man Romeo Akachukwu in the 70th minute. Akachukwu added some pace and attacking impetus into Ireland’s play from the right wing during his time on the pitch.
Their efforts were rewarded when Lonergan was brought down by the goalkeeper as he raced from his line. The in-form striker made no mistake from the spot as put his shot straight down the middle.
It’s Lonergan’s second goal in two games for the Irish Under 21s after he scored the first in the crucial 2-0 win away to Slovakia last Friday.
The win sets up a potentially huge game against England in the final game of the group in Cork next Tuesday. Lee Carsley’s England side play Slovakia on Friday where a win would see them secure qualification, and it would also leave Ireland in the second qualification place going into the final.
With Slovakia facing Andorra away from home at the same time Ireland take on England, Crawford's side could have a golden opportunity to secure a first-ever qualification for the European Championships at Under 21 level.
