The Irish University team got off to the best possible start at the World University Games in Russia last night and boy, didn’t they look happy about it.
Having to face the hosts in the opening game was a pretty daunting task for the Boys in Green, but Danny Crowley’s men produced a brilliant performance to emerge 2-1 winners in Rubin Stadium, Kazan.
Corey Davidson put Ireland into the lead after only 11 minutes after great work from Tom King, who is being sponsored by JOE.ie, in the build-up but that advantage was wiped out almost immediately afterwards as Russia had equalised within four minutes.
Darren Forsyth restored Ireland’s lead from the penalty spot 11 minutes left from time after Ray Foy was brought down in the area and thanks in no small part to a spectacular goal-line clearance from Jamie Carr in the dying stages, Ireland held on for a famous victory.
Next up for our lads is a clash with China on Monday evening and hopefully the momentum gained from last night’s result can carry through to that game as well as the final group encounter with Mexico next week.
Those games weren’t on the minds immediately after victory last night, however, as the Irish lads celebrated in style and they were well entitled to do so.
Congratulations lads; keep up the good work.
Pics via Inpho/Cathal Noonan
