The Republic of Ireland Under-18 soccer team which defeated Hungary in Budapest yesterday. Dara McGuinness is in the front row (first from right).

Athlone player scores in victory for Ireland U-18s

Kieran Galvin

Published: Wed 18 Aug 2021, 7:32 AM

Last updated: Wed 18 Aug 2021, 7:34 AM

The Republic of Ireland Under-18s defeated Hungary in an international friendly in Budapest yesterday (Tuesday), with Athlone's Dara McGuinness one of the goalscorers in a 2-0 win.

Monksland native McGuinness, who plays for Shamrock Rovers, gave Ireland a 2-0 lead early in the second half. After some superb work down the right flank, Leeds United's Cian Coleman delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard-box. The ball fell to McGuinness and he poked it home to give Ireland a two-goal cushion.

Ireland's first goal had arrived just before half-time. Derby County’s Cian Kelly-Caprani capitalised on a mistake in the Hungary backline, latching onto a loose ball and rounding the goalkeeper to slot in from a tight angle to give Ireland a deserved lead.

In what was a first appearance for an Irish U-18 team since September 2019, Colin O’Brien’s reign got off to a winning start in the Hungarian capital.

The teams are back in action tomorrow (Thursday) as Ireland look to do the double over Hungary. Kick-off at the BVSC Stadion, Budapest is 10am Irish time.

McGuinness played for the Republic of Ireland U-16 soccer team early last year. The Monksland teenager scored two goals against Kosovo in an Aegean Cup game in Turkey.

Dara began his football career at a young age with St Joseph's FC in Athlone, and he represented the ADSL in the Kennedy Cup, before moving on to Belvedere. He then joined St Patrick's Athletic and is now with Shamrock Rovers.

A son of Helen and Mark McGuinness, Dara is a past-pupil of Cloonakilla NS and is now a student at Coláiste Chiaráin in Summerhill, Athlone.

Republic of Ireland: Josh Clarke (Bournemouth); Edwin Agbaje (Ipswich Town), Sean Grehan (Bohemians), Cathal Heffernan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United); Ed McJannet (Luton Town), Cian Coleman (Leeds United), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Cork City), Cian Kelly-Caprani (Derby County), Dara McGuinness (Shamrock Rovers), Rio McEvoy (Bolton Wanderers). Subs used: Billy Brooks (Lincoln City) for O’Brien-Whitmarsh (61 mins), Luke Pearce (Southampton) for McEvoy (61), Tommy Fogarty (Birmingham City) for Grehan (73).

Hungary: Dala; Kaján, Korógyi, Dragoner, Yaakobishvili, Szabó, Molnar, Kocsis, Gruber, Bakti, Kallai. Subs used: Mergi for Dala (46 mins), Andros Gulyás for Szabó (60), Kiss for Kocsis (60), Sipos for Kaján (77), Kovács for Korógyi (77), Auriél Gyuris for Gruber (77).

Referee: Imre Kovács (Hungary).