Ireland 2 Croatia 2
From Paul Doyle at Lansdowne Raod
Tonight’s friendly against Croatia was full of positives for Mick McCarthy despite the concession of two late goals.
In the absence of Niall Quinn, the post-targetman era looks bright, with new strikers Damien Duff and debutante Clinton Morrison both grabbing their first International goals.
Duff’s 29th minute opening goal was the culmination of a slick Irish move involving Gary Kelly and the two Keanes, and bodes well for the future of the Duff-Keane front-line.
Morrison netted his in the 77th minute much to the delight of the 27,000 Irish fans in Lansdowne Road. David Connolly, who had moments earlier squandered a fantastic opportunity, produced a dainty bit of skill in the middle of the park, and found Jason McAteer at the edge of the box.
McAteer’s shot was beaten away by Croatian goalkeeper Pletikosa, but only as far as Morrison, who had the supremely easy task of tapping the ball into the empty net from ten yards.
At that point victory seemed certain for Ireland, even though the side that had seized the reins in the first half had by then been disrupted by the introduction of no less than seven substitutes, and another two were to follow.
Three minutes after Morrison’s strike, Croatia pulled one back. Liverpool’s Igor Biscan flashed a cross into the centre of the Irish box where Davor Vugrinec rose unmarked to head past Alan Kelly.
In the second minute of injury time Davor Suker brought the visitors level when he converted a spot kick awarded for handball against the third of tonight’s Irish debutantes, John O’Shea.