World University Games (Gwangju, South Korea)
Men’s (Play off places 5-8): Ireland 1 (A O’Sullivan 88) France 1(K Bacle 72). Ireland won 7-6 on pens
Ireland will meet South Africa in Play off for places 5-6 on Monday
Ireland men’s side stayed on course to repeat their fifth place finish of two years ago in the World University Games, but they needed victory in a dramatic penalty shoot out after their play off tie with the 2013 winners France, for places 5-8, ended 1-1 in Gwangju South Korea.
The Irish who lost out to Italy by the only goal in the quarter finals last Friday recovered from that bitter disappointment to produce a first class display against the skilful French Then after having looked the stronger side Ireland fell behind to a Kevin Bacle goal direct from a free kick on 72 minutes.
But the impressive DCU and Shelbourne striker Alan O’Sullivan came to the rescue with an equaliser two minutes from the finish to set up the penalty shoot out.
Jonny Bonner, O’Sullivan, Luke Kelly, Alan McGreal and Conor McDonald all coolly converted their spot kicks which the French matched before Stephen Last missed with the sixth and Luca Vincent did likewise for France.
Dylan Mernagh and Peter Higgins were both on target but Maxime Oliveri crashed his effort to keep France in the tie off the crossbar and Ireland went through 7-6 to set up a tie with South Africa to decide the 5-6 places on Monday.
While Italy who narrowly defeated Ireland in the quarter finals went on to reach the final with a 3-1 penalty shoot out victory over Japan after a scoreless semi final and the hosts South Korea proved popular 2-0 winners over Brazil in the other semi final.
IRELAND: S Houghton (IT Carlow); J Corrigan (Maynooth Univ), D Mernagh (UL), S Last (IT Carlow), R McEnteer (Dundalk IT); R Gaul (DCU); E Molloy (IT Carlow), J Bonner (IT Carlow), D McGuinness (IT Carlow),A McGreal (UCD); A O’Sullivan (DCU).
Subs: L Kelly (DCU) for Molloy 42 mins, C McDonald (Dundalk IT) for McGuinness 68 mins, P Higgins (UL) for Corrigan 75 mins, N Haverty (IT Carlow) for Gaul 79 mins, B Nolan (UL), C O’Keeffe (IT Carlow), G Coughlan (UL), D Broaders (IT Carlow),M Connor (Waterford IT).
Women’s (Play off places 13-16): Ireland 8 (JA Russell 28, 51, C O’Riordan 58, 78, O Nolan 59, J Byrne 80, S Killeen 84,90) Columbia 0.
Ireland will play South Africa in Play off places 13-14 on Sunday.
The Ireland Women’s side went on a goal spree to overwhelm Columbia 8-0 in their play off game for places 13-16 at the World University Games in Gwangju South Korea.
Sue Ronan’s squad had only managed to net two goals in their previous four ties with both coming from Wexford Youths Claire O’Riordan as they failed to win a game but they finally found their scoring form against the hapless South American’s.
Julie Ann Russell got them off the mark with the opener on 28 minutes and shortly after the break the UCD midfielder doubled the score.
The goals reined in after that as the Irish totally dominated the game.
Substitute Claire O’Riordan added two more followed by a brace from Siobhan Killeen with Orlaigh Nolan and Jennifer Byrne also getting on the score sheet to complete a welcome first win of the games for the Irish side.
Ireland will face South Africa on Sunday morning in the play off tie for places 13-14. While Russia and France are set to meet in the Women’s Final also on Sunday.
IRELAND: E Badana (Drexel Univ); K Cormican (UL), A Frawley (St Pat’s), J Byrne (NUIG). C Cronin (UCD); R Graham (IT Carlow), C Grant (UCD), E Hansberry (IT Sligo), J A Russell (UCD); S Rowe (DCU), O Nolan (UCD).
Subs: C O’Riordan (IT Carlow) for Rowe h-t, C O’Connell (UCC) for Grant 58 mins, S Killeen (UCD) for Russell 62 mins, C Rossiter (Waterford IT) for Graham 72 mins, R Maguire (NCI), N Reid Burke (IT Blanchardstown).