Givens shows frustration as late Georgian leveller thwarts Irish
Monday November 16 2009
DON GIVENS did not hide his frustration after his Ireland u-21 side continued their winless streak in the UEFA Championships qualifying series on Saturday.
The Irish boss was bitterly disappointed at seeing his youngsters throw away a winning position for the third time in four games against Georgia in Tbilisi.
It was their fourth 1-1 draw in succession and the Irish have yet to win a game in Group 2 at five attempts.
Ireland took the lead through a brilliant Graham Carey strike two minutes into the second half, but Georgia levelled in the 85th minute through substitute Vakhtang Kvaratskelia.
"It's extremely disappointing. I'd say that was our worst performance of the group," said Givens, whose side needs to win all their remaining five games to have any hope of progressing.
"We seem incapable of getting the second goal to kill teams off and that always leaves you open to conceding late on when the other side really goes for it.
"It turned out to be a battle, which isn't what we want. We have people who can play and our passing wasn't nearly as a good as I would expect."
Carey's goal came after a clever one-two with Celtic club-mate Cillian Sheridan followed by a dynamic burst into the box and shot into the bottom corner.
The Irish had two great chances to extend their lead within the space of 60 seconds in the 58th minute, but Georgian goalkeeper Roin Kvaskhvadze denied Sheridan and James Collins.
A quickly taken corner led to Georgia's equaliser. The ball was deflected over Irish 'keeper Shane Redmond's head in the 85th minute and despite Darren Dennehy's header off the line, Kvaratskelia volleyed home.
Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan almost grabbed a winner for the Irish in the 91st minute, but his brilliant volley from 25 yards struck the base of the Georgian upright.
Garvan is suspended for tomorrow's clash with Armenia in Yerevan, while Paddy Madden of Bohemians has been called in as cover for Sean Scannell who is battling to be fit after tweaking his hamstring.
"We came here looking for six points from these games, but it hasn't happened and now we have to try and get the three points from Armenia," Givens said.
"In another scenario getting a point away to Georgia wouldn't be considered a bad result, but I'm disappointed because we're not in the position we should be in this group."
GEORGIA -- Kvaskhvadze; Tomashvili, Totadze (Gabedava 53), Getiashvili, Kakubava, Daushvili, Kvekveskiri, Klimiashvili (Tchedia 78), Okriashvili, Ananidze, Ivanishvili (Kvaratskelia 70).
IRELAND -- Redmond; Coleman, Morris, Dennehy, Hughton, Gleeson, Meyler, Garvan, Scannell (Carey 43) , Collins (Conneely 68), Sheridan (Oyebanjo 85).
Ref -- T Hagen (Norway).
- Stephen Finn
Irish Independent
