Hobbs hits late leveller to deny Irish victory
Ireland were cruelly denied victory by an Anthony Hobbs equaliser for New Zealand deep into injury-time in yesterday's schools international friendly at the Oscar Traynor Centre, Dublin.
New Zealand's Haka before the game did little to put Ireland off as Shane Howard's right-footed shot flew just wide after an excellent turn on the edge of the box.
Cillian Morrison went one-on-one after a great run and only a goal-line clearance from Jordan Swaney denied Ireland the lead. Howard was next to test the 'keeper just after the half-hour mark, forcing a good save from Max Tommy.
After a scoreless first half, New Zealand took the lead in the 62nd minute when Irish full-back Jason Dwane's tackle sent the ball past David Quirke and into his own net.
Strike
It then became a tale of the substitutes, as Shane Murray's penalty and Jimmy Keohane's strike should have given Ireland the win. Murray was hauled down in the box after a pass from Morrison. The Arklow man stepped up to equalise from 12 yards.
Ireland thought they had a third in the 88th minute as Keohane tapped in from close range. It wasn't allowed, though, and then a deep free-kick was headed in by Hobbs in the 93rd minute to make it 2-2.
Ireland manager Hugh Colhoun said: "We had several chances and we should have been ahead at half-time. We were in control but we didn't take our chances and we got punished by a sloppy goal."
Ireland play in a friendly tournament in Jersey before the Centenary Shield kicks off in late February.
Republic of Ireland -- D Quirke (R O'Flaherty, 70); J Dwane (J Keohane, 75), E Osbourne (I Storan, 45), N Harney, G Broughall, G Burke (C Forsyth, 45), B Gaffney (E Hanrahan, 62), J Hughes (capt), D Fallon (T Boyle, 45), S Howard (S Murray, 62), C Morrison (J Bonner, 81).
- Jamie Moore Schools International Friendly