Ireland vs Latvia

Good evening and welcome to the Independent.ie live blog of the Republic of Ireland against Latvia at the AVIVA Stadium. My name is Dylan O'Connell and I ...

Republic of Ireland face their first test of the 2023 campaign when they welcome Latvia to the Av...

- Callum Robinson has scored five goals in his last seven friendly appearances for the Republic of Ireland, including a hat-trick against Qatar in October 2021. "Hopefully it will be the same for this camp, and not only for this camp but for him, personally, for the rest of the season and for the rest of his career, as I am sure he is going to have a good one." - Republic of Ireland’s Evan Ferguson has appeared twice as a substitute for Eire, against Norway and Malta in November. I haven’t seen all of the games, but from the highlights and the goals he is scoring, he is scoring some good goals with great composure for someone who is only 18. "At 18 years of age now, he's showing he is ready to come into the team and he will make his first start tomorrow in the game." He's had a great start to his Premier League career and is scoring some goals in the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup.

Daniel McDonnell of the Irish Independent has reported that the most likely front three for the friendly game is Will Smallbone in behind Evan Ferguson and ...

The only other confirmation that Kenny has confirmed is that Matt Doherty will start the game, and be the captain on the day. This front three has of course never started a game together, as this will be the first start for the senior side for both Smallbone and Ferguson. [Daniel McDonnell](https://twitter.com/McDonnellDan?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) of the Irish Independent has reported that the most likely front three for the friendly game is Will Smallbone in behind Evan Ferguson and Michael Obafemi.

Ireland take on Latvia in their first match of the year. Ireland are using the friendly as a warm-up for a huge Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

He was also outmuscled at times by Latvia in the middle of the park. He was on the edge of the game against Latvia but showed some decent flashes of play. At a time when Irish players are few and far between in the Premier League, Ferguson has been a revelation over the past few months. Ogbene was busy after that, but his final ball into the box wasn't always accurate. His pace on the break means he will be a contender to start against France. He didn't stop running though and helped set the tempo for Ireland. He looked rusty and was beaten twice in the first half. The wing-back was another player in need of game time. Ireland's two goals in the first half came from Doherty's crosses into the penalty area and he linked well with debutant Smallbone. Molumby did well carrying the ball forward for Ireland's second goal. Collins was yet another Irish player who needed game time ahead of the France match. Ireland are using the friendly at the Aviva Stadium as a warm-up game for a huge [Euro 2024](https://www.sportsjoe.ie/sports/uefa-euro-2024) qualifier against France.

Ireland warmed-up for Monday's Euro 2024 qualification opener against France with a hard-earned 3-2 victory over the Latvians on Wednesday.

Ogbene and Johnston gave a glimpse of what they offer Stephen Kenny if called upon in the immediate future. Despite a lack of game-time, Doherty used the ball intelligently. An Irish starting XI with an average age of 23 included individuals auditioning to face the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antoine Griezmann.

It took Evan Ferguson less than 20 minutes to score his maiden goal for Ireland · 16 Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool) · 22 Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City).

And while Ferguson had all the prematch attention, Smallbone might well be just as important to Ireland’s development in the years ahead. Obafemi took up a position on the endline and was able to tap the ball back to the six-yard box where Ferguson pounced. Got himself in a brilliant position to nod home an early goal, showing great awareness to first read Smallbone’s delivery and then show the determination to get in front of his man to head the ball low to the back of the net. As most of the Ireland players made their way over to celebrate with Callum O’Dowda following his goal, Dara O’Shea made a beeline for Molumby, because it was a brilliant ball-winning tackle in the middle of the field by the West Brom man that set Ireland on their way for the goal. Captain on the night, and Doherty certainly led by example in the opening half-hour as he was involved in so much of Ireland’s creative attacking play – including the first two goals. Latvia rarely got in behind the Ireland defence, but Omobamidele was forced to scramble back midway through the first half after a ball over the top set the visitors away.

Ireland take on Latvia in their first match of the year. Ireland are using the friendly as a warm-up for a huge Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

He was also outmuscled at times by Latvia in the middle of the park. He was on the edge of the game against Latvia but showed some decent flashes of play. At a time when Irish players are few and far between in the Premier League, Ferguson has been a revelation over the past few months. Ogbene was busy after that, but his final ball into the box wasn't always accurate. His pace on the break means he will be a contender to start against France. He didn't stop running though and helped set the tempo for Ireland. He looked rusty and was beaten twice in the first half. The wing-back was another player in need of game time. Ireland's two goals in the first half came from Doherty's crosses into the penalty area and he linked well with debutant Smallbone. Molumby did well carrying the ball forward for Ireland's second goal. Collins was yet another Irish player who needed game time ahead of the France match. Ireland are using the friendly at the Aviva Stadium as a warm-up game for a huge [Euro 2024](https://www.sportsjoe.ie/sports/uefa-euro-2024) qualifier against France.

Goals from Evan Ferguson, Callum O'Dowda, and Chiedozie Ogbene were only subplots to the story. Ireland had several players who impressed on the night that ...

Speaking after Kenny: "He has different characteristics that will add to the squad. It looks like Ireland have a real gem on their hands. He got taken off in the second half with one eye on the France game. Much of the focus was on Evan Ferguson last night. It will be a travesty if he doesn't start against Les Bleus on Monday. If any team had a young player coming through who started to play in his first season and produce what he is producing, I think you’d get really excited about him.

Ireland defeated Latvia in a 3-2 win at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, in a game that was harder than it should have been. Player ratings...

Somewhat wasteful from some of his chances from the edge of the box, but it’s very difficult to hold that against an 18-year-old in the form Ferguson is in. He will be delighted with how it went, and could be what Ireland are missing when it comes to a No. Browne simply needs to offer way more for his spot in the team to be justified going forward. [Stoke midfielder](https://punditarena.com/football/andrew-dempsey/will-smallbone-ireland-forgotten-premier-league-man-injury-hell/), with an involvement in the first two goals. He may well have played himself out of the France team. Some will argue that there is nothing he could have done about either, but it can’t be a coincidence that Kelleher is often beaten from outside the box.

Ireland saw off Latvia 3-2 in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium. Here is how the Boys in Green fared in their first outing of the year ahead of Monday's ...

John Egan’s experience helped Ireland see out the win as Troy Parrott, James McClean and Jeff Hendrick were also involved late on. Was a threat at right wing-back but did cough up possession on a few occasions, namely in the lead up to Latvia’s first. Chiedozie Ogbene was first to the rebound to score, while Johnston went close to a fine solo goal late on. Produced a superb cross on his Irish debut to assist O’Dowda early on. A few nice touches without setting the world alight. Replaced by Johnston just after the hour mark.