Real Murcia B 0-2 Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland have warmed up for Saturday's international friendly encounter with Grenada in Spain with a 2-0 training game win over Real Murcia B.
Played at the La Finca Resort Training Centre, Millenic Alli put Ireland ahead in the 18th minute – having had a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the half – with Adam Idah adding a second late on after coming on from the bench.
Heimir Hallgrimsson used 17 players in all during the run out, with rising Irish star Rory Finneran getting his first taste of game action at senior international level.
Finneran, who became Blackburn Rovers' youngest ever player in January 2024 after making his debut as a 15-year-old in an FA Cup tie, played the first half and had a shot blocked down early on before being replaced by Conor Coventry.
It marks another step forward in his career after the 18-year-old Newcastle midfielder was drafted into Hallgrimsson's squad last Friday following the withdrawals of Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Ipswich Town winger Kasey McAteer.
Speaking to FAI TV from Murcia, the former Ireland under-17 captain spoke of his excitement surrounding the opportunity.
"Massively proud moment," said the Manchester-born player who qualifies for Ireland as his father’s family are from Sligo.
"I didn’t expect it. A late call in but a massive achievement for me and I’m looking forward to the week.
"I was on my day off [when finding out about the call-up], I was at home. I didn’t reply for a couple of hours to the gaffer. I got a message and I spoke to him [Heimir] and he said he wanted me to come in.
"It’s good to get around the lads that play first team professional high level, it’s good get around it and see what they do day to day," he added.
Having got a taste of the action with the squad, Finneran is now hoping that his competitive debut will quickly follow this weekend.
"Obviously that’s the goal for this week. It’s up to me in training, doing what I can to impress and show what I can do at that level."
Republic of Ireland: Josh Keeley (Killian Cahill 46); Dara O'Shea, Mark McGuinness, James Abankwah; Tayo Adaramola (Adam Idah 73), Jason Knight (Jayson Molumby 46), Rory Finneran (Conor Coventry 46), Chiedozie Ogbene; Andrew Moran (Jack Moylan 46), Millenic Alli (Aidomo Emakhu 46), Adam Idah (Tom Cannon 46).
