The Republic of Ireland Under-18s made it a winning start to Colin O’Brien’s reign with him giving 14 players their first outing at this level.

Goals from Derby County’s Cian Kelly-Caprani and Shamrock Rovers’ Dara McGuinness were enough to give the Boys in Green a win in the first of two international friendly games this week in the Hungarian capital.

Luton Town’s Ed McJannet captained the side and it was his first appearance for an Irish underage team along with Josh Clarke, Alex Murphy, Cian Coleman, Billy Brooks, and Rio McEvoy.

Ed McJannet, Luton Town. Captain of Ireland U18 pic.twitter.com/2hoCmzYK0z

— LutonTownExile (@LutonTownExile) August 17, 2021

Ireland started the livelier of the two sides with Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh going close several times in the first half. Firstly, he hit a low drive that tested the handling of goalkeeper Martin Dala. Then on the half-hour mark, the Cork City man saw his attempted lob land on the roof of the net.

O’Brien-Whitmarsh, operating in the Number 10 position, found himself thwarted by the keeper five minutes later when he was put through on goal and saw his effort bounce off the body of the Hungarian goalkeeper.

The breakthrough came just before half-time. Kelly-Caprani capitalized on a mistake in the Hungary backline, latching onto a loose ball and rounding the goalkeeper to slot in from a tight angle to give Ireland a deserved lead.

After the break, it was 2-0. Leeds’ Coleman did superbly well to get down the right flank before delivering a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. The ball fell to McGuinness and the Rovers man poked it home to give Ireland a two-goal cushion.

McJannet almost topped off his fine performance with a goal of his own. He engineered an opportunity with an exchange of passes; however, his left-footed effort was pushed behind for a corner. It was to be the final clear-cut chance of the second half and the game finished up 2-0.

Both teams are back in action on Thursday as Ireland looked to do the double over Hungary.

FT | All over in Budapest and it’s a win for Ireland U18 @ShamrockRovers’s Dara McGuinness adds to Kelly-Caprani’s opener to give the Boys in Green the victory over Hungary

The sides play again on Thursday #COYBIG | #IRLU18 | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/B60AEK8xV0

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) August 17, 2021

Teams

Hungary

Dala (GK)(Mergi. 46); Kaján (Sipos 77) , Korógyi (Kovács 77), Dragoner, Yaakobishvili, Szabó (Andros Gulyás 60), Molnar, Kocsis (Kiss, 60), Gruber (Auriél Gyuris 77), Bakti, Kallai.

Republic of Ireland

Clarke (GK); Agbaje, Grehan (Fogarty 73), Heffernan, Murphy; McJannet, Coleman, O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Brooks 61), Kelly-Caprani, McGuinness, McEvoy (Pearce 61).

Referee: Imre Kovács (Hungary).

Upcoming Fixtures

International Friendly (Irish time)
Thursday, August 19 | Hungary v Republic of Ireland, BVSC Stadion, Budapest, Hungary, KO 10:00.

At the BVSC Stadium in Budapest for Republic of Ireland v Hungary U18. @FAIreland debuts for @ed_mcj _ @joeobw_10 @integralsportsm . @ed_mcj _ Captain on debut too pic.twitter.com/MQncpjeZE5

— Dan Fletcher (@Dan_Fletcher10) August 17, 2021

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The U18 international has signed a three-year contract with the Challenge Cup winners, joining the side from Leinster.

According to the42, Leinster were keen to retain the Drogheda centre but they did not have a full academy place available for him.

Martin opted to move to mainland Europe to join Montpellier as a result of this.

The Louth native made his debut for the Leinster U18s at the age of 15 and joins Phillipe Saint-André’s side with international experience at youth level under his belt.

Martin, who was the 2018 Young Sports Star of the Year at the Drogheda Independent Coca-Cola Sports Star awards was also involved in the Leinster ‘A’ setup in the past season.

His former club Boyne RFC wished him well on their social media account after the deal was announced.

@MHR_officiel have officially confirmed the signing of Ex Boyne centre Karl Martin on a 3-year Academy deal. Well done Karl from all at Boyne RFC.. https://t.co/eJi2vtugEL pic.twitter.com/Cg9RSlDjgI

— Boyne RFC (@BoyneRFC) July 5, 2021

The 18-year-old becomes the latest player to leave Ireland’s most high profile province and go abroad.

Hugh O’Sullivan recently moved across the pond to join Declan Kidney at London Irish.

23-year-old Luke Carty was part of the Connacht setupb ut recently moved across the Atlantic Ocean to join the LA Giltinis.

The younger brother to Ireland international Jack Carty qualified for United States and made his debut for the side against England on Sunday.

Martin will now pursue a professional career in French rugby.

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