ETB Course kicks off with a draw in game of three matches scheduled in Spain.
US PILAS………….1 ETB IRELAND……….1
AN Educational Training Board Selection squad is in Spain for a series of games – a wonderful opportunity for these rising talents.
The youthful squad, under the management of FAI Irishtown ETB Course Administrator Gerry Davis – who is also the FAI amateur international manager – are based in the Andalucia region with games in Seville and Cadiz listed.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players to pit their skills against older and technically gifted players in a different environment that they would be normally be used to, so it’s a learning curve and a great experience that will assist them in their career development,” said manager Davis
The ETB course opened their campaign with a one-one draw against UD PILAS at the Estadio Municipal Manuel Leonardo Ventura with skipper Alex O’Hanlon, a former Liverpool trainee, levelling from the penalty spot after the Irish side had fallen behind in the 23rd minute.
O’Hanlon’s equaliser came just past the half-hour mark and Davis was pleased how his charges acquitted themselves.
“We were up against a more experienced side but as the match progressed we grew in confidence and gave a good account of ourselves and I suppose a draw was fair result in the end,” added Davis
“They were the home team but we stood up well under examination and that’s a huge positive for us and we can look to carry that into our two remaining games.,” added Davis
ETB COURSE: David Odumusa; Niall O’Keefe, Conor McKenna, Conor Soroghan, Mark Traynor, Alex O’Hanlon, Katlego Mashingo, Martin Coughlan, Francis Muensterburg, Alex Phelan, Thomas Forde, Jamie Wynne. Subs: Liam McGrath, Thomas McLoughlin, Ray O’Sullivan, Jack Savage.
