Coventry's Ireland make winning start to Euro U19 qualifiers

Conor Coventry

 

Conor Coventry’s Republic of Ireland have made a winning start to their UEFA European U19 Championship qualifying campaign.

The West Ham United midfielder, who made his first-team debut in the 8-0 Carabao Cup win over Macclesfield Town last month, set up Ireland’s opening goal in their 3-1 Group 10 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Longford.

The 19-year-old laid on an assist for Southampton midfielder Will Ferry to give the hosts the lead 13 minutes into the second half, before a penalty from Tottenham Hotspur’s Troy Parrott and a third from Norwich City striker Adam Idah put the Boys in Green in control.

Mateo Bozic pulled a goal back late on, but Ireland held on to secure three points.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands scored a 5-0 win over the Faroe Islands in Galway to go top of the group.

Ireland take on the Faroe Islands in Longford on Saturday afternoon, when a victory could secure their passage to the Elite Round, which will be played next March.

Coventry and company complete their Group 10 fixture list by tackling the Netherlands, also at Longford Town’s City Calling Stadium, on Tuesday 16 October. 

West Ham's only other international participant on Tuesday, Andriy Yarmolenko, was an unused substitute as Ukraine drew 1-1 with Italy in a friendly in Genoa.