Talented Limerick sharp-shooter propels Ireland to U17 World Cup with hat-trick against Slovakia

BALLYBRICKEN'S Cillian Murphy, who played underage soccer for Holycross AFC was in fine from for the Ireland U17 Men's side against Slovakia on Tuesday night, netting a hat-trick in an emphatic 7-0 win which propels Ireland to the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Cork City’s Murphy, along with goals from Ryan Sheridan, Josh Harpur, Joey Wuna and Desmond Armstrong saw the young Boys in Green finish as one of the best runners-up in European Qualifiers to earn a spot at the tournament.

Ireland, coached in these qualifiers by Mark Connors, needed to win and for Poland to beat Croatia to book a place at the European Championships in Estonia. Poland did their bit leading 1-0 until the 73^rd minute until Croatia got the equaliser and the point to seal their spot at both tournaments.

It had been looking likely that Ireland could have been heading to Estonia and Qatar when they raced into a 4-0 lead by half time. Murphy hit a 21-minute hat-trick in the process and St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Sheridan was also on target in the first half.

Bohemians’ Josh Harpur, Shelbourne’s Wuna and former Shamrock Rovers’ forward Armstrong added to the goals in the second-half as Ireland wracked-up a plus 10 goal difference and six points.

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Ireland return to the World Cup finals after reaching the last 16 of the competition last year.

This 2009-age group now have the same opportunity to impress on the world stage having come through qualification scoring 17 goals and conceding just twice in their six qualification matches. 

Limerick's Murphy progressed through the Holycross youth academy and age groups and at 11 years of age he played Kennedy Cup for the Limerick County team.

Cillian won it all in the local Limerick County Leagues, Premier Leagues, Cups and FAI Regions Cup, in his own age group and the two age groups above. 

Republic of Ireland Men's Under-17s Squad

Goalkeepers: Darragh Brunton (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Xander Grieves (Wolves)*

Defenders: Maxim Afonin (Shamrock Rovers), Danny Burke (Shamrock Rovers), Glenn Ilunga (Burnley), Tadgh Prizeman (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).

Midfielders: Tom McGrath (Cork City), Cillian Murphy (Cork City), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Josh O’Dwyer (Shamrock Rovers), Ryan Sheridan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Jason Spelman (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Kian Quigley (St. Patrick’s
Athletic).

Forwards: Desmond Armstrong (FC Lorient), Joe Byrne (St. Patrick’s Athletic), David Dunne (AS Monaco), Josh Harpur (Bohemians), Joey Ikala Wuna (Shelbourne), Hugh Martin (Bohemians).

* Replaced George Moloney (Southampton)