Martin O’Neill definitely didn’t expect that to happen
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill was not happy with what he saw on Monday. O’Neill was in the stands alongside Roy Keane as the Ireland under-17s took on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the under-17 European Championship.
Although the Boys In Green were sent crashing out of the tournament on the night under controversial circumstances, they could leave with their heads held high after a magnificent tournament in which they represented their country well.
Unfortunately for them it ended on a particularly sour note.
Outrageous https://t.co/kEQP4I4wTN
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 14, 2018
Not happy
The game went to penalties after finishing up 1-1 after normal time. After four spot kicks apiece were taken, all the Netherlands needed to do was score past James Corcoran to secure their place in the semis. The Irish shot-stopper pulled off a brilliant save, but sadly, it wasn’t to be.
The referee flashed the yellow card and ordered the kick to be retaken, deeming the keeper to have left his line too early. Corcoran had already been booked for time-wasting in normal time, so he was shown a red card.
Centre-back Oisin McEntee then stepped in between the posts but the retaken penalty was coolly converted.
While the Dutch celebrated, O’Neill was furious, leaving his seat in the stands and entering the pitch to approach the referee. He then confronted the official, as well as other officials, on the field to let the referee know just how angry he was.
