The Republic of Ireland have opened their U17 European Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw with Greece this evening, but it could have been so much more.
The tournament is taking place in Ireland for the first time this year, with the hosts holding their opening game in Tallaght Stadium. Colin O'Brien's side played some beautiful football in the opening half, and were unlucky to not open the scoring on a couple of occasions.
Ireland would take a deserved lead just before the hour, when Brighton's Matt Everitt popped up on the far post to finish off the corner.
Ireland 1-0 Greece - Matt Everitt gives Ireland a deserved lead in their U-17 European Championships opener #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/TX63vbalos
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 3, 2019
Everitt performed brilliantly throughout the game, not giving the Greek defences a moments rest. He would be given the man-of-the-match award for his efforts, and you couldn't argue that he didn't deserve it.
Ireland had a couple of half chances to make sure of the result, but they would suffer heartbreak late on. Greece would score a hugely controversial equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time, and the Irish crowd were not happy.
The linesman initially ruled the goal out for offside, but was seemingly overruled by the referee.
Ireland 1-1 Greece - A hugely controversial end to the game as Greece snatch an injury time goal and a late draw, despite the linesman's flag being raised. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/GbuN05RCgq
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 3, 2019
It appears as though the goal was given as it was Ireland defender Sean McEvoy who played the ball into the path of the Greek forward. However, there was an offside attacker who forced McEvoy to play the ball.
That would suggest that an offside player interfered with play, meaning the goal should not have stood. That was certainly the sentiment online.
So gutting to concede at the very end, with very contentious goal that was flagged offside v early. Second REALLY harsh decision this Irish under-age team has suffered in big matches in last year. So hard to rationalise decisions like that for the young lads! #IRLU17 #IRLGRE
— Grace O'Sullivan (@gosulli) May 3, 2019
Another Underage Irish team absolutely done by shoddy refereeing @FAIreland @RTEsoccer #IRLGRE #IRLU17 #COYBIG
— Stu #SupportMedicalScientists 🇵🇸 (@StuartAllen93) May 3, 2019
All four teams in the group currently sit on a solitary point, with Belgium and the Czech Republic drawing earlier today.
Ireland will continue their campaign against the Czechs in Waterford next Monday, before playing Belgium in Tallaght on Thursday.
