Andy Lyons honoured with u21 international link up

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

The introduction by the FAI of an international break this month means the League of Ireland takes a sos beag next week, seven games into the new season. 

This will hopefully rectify the issues of fixture congestion from last year, when matches were postponed and then refixed for the end of the year after clubs had two or more players called up for Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland duty (at the under-21 and senior level). 

Those issues along with the domestic postponements around Europe, meant Bohemians had seven games across a four week period in October. Andy Lyons was part of that Bohs squad but made the move from Dalymount Park to Tallaght Stadium over the winter months. 

His performances for the Hoops have earned him a call up in the under-21 Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championship qualifier against Sweden in Borás in Sweden on 29 March. His club mate Pico Lopes is part of Cape Verde’s squad for friendlies against Liechtenstein, Guadalupe and San Marino

Lyons is one of six players playing in the League of Ireland who are in Jim Crawford’s Ireland under-21 squad totalling 21 players. With there just being one fixture in this under-21 window, it is a slightly smaller squad than usual which makes it even more competitive to be included.

Honour

“It is a massive honour and privilege to get called up to the international squad,” said Lyons when he spoke to extratime.com pitchside after his team’s 2-2 draw with Sligo Rovers in Tallaght on Friday. 

“When you talk about the strength indepth at Rovers, well for the international pool it is even greater with the many options the manager has, so the be called up for this squad it is brilliant. 

“It will be down to work on the training ground straight away so I'm really looking forward to the game against Sweden (on Tuesday 29 March).”

It was a man-of-the-match display for Lyons against Sligo Rovers on Friday with LOITV co-commentator Graham Gartland picking Lyons for the award.

The Hoops battled back from being two goals down with Lyons, who was deployed at right wing back, earning his side a penalty that Graham Burke converted to halve the defecit. An own goal nine minutes from time kept Rovers’ unbeaten league record at home going to 15 matches – they have only lost one league home match since June 2019 (which was to Sligo Rovers last May).

In Pictures: Shamrock Rovers 2 - 2 Sligo Rovers https://t.co/WyVdvGU62ppic.twitter.com/Llp0MmxTE2

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 19, 2022

Speaking after Friday’s game Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley was full of praise for Lyons who he has mostly played at left wing-back this season as Rovers struggled to deal with injuries to both Sean Kavanagh and Neil Farrugia.

“It is probably the first time we have had Andy on his right side,” said Bradley. “I think he showed what he is going to bring to us in an attacking sense. He was excellent like they all were second half. He was very good.”

Sligo Rovers put themselves two goals to the good inside the opening half an hour. “In the first half we played well and played some good football but if you give them two chances they were clinical with two good finishes,” said Lyons. 

“We can't afford to do that in the future. They put us on the back foot and were 2-0 up at half time.”

Attacking prowess

At the break Bradley brought on Neil Farrugia and the four time capped Irish international Jack Byrne (who is currently struggling with illness). 

“From a personal point of view, you have such quality on the bench that when you are on the pitch you have to prove yourself and the gaffer that you should be in the team,” said Lyons. “The lads coming off the bench make an impact. To have that attacking prowess when you are going for the game, to come on and boost us is brilliant. 

“We are going to need that throughout the season like today when we were 2-0 down but the quality off the bench makes a big difference. We had lots of chances. We had 27 shots. We have to be better at keeping the goals out as we know on our day we can score plenty of goals. 

Penalty

“I took the ball and drove at their defence. It was one of those when you get into that area you aren't quite sure what you are going to do. I was actually aiming to come inside and have a shot but the defender put out a foot. I came across it and went down under that tackle. I won the penalty and it got us back into the game.

“We had constant pressure after that. Their keeper (Nathan Shepperd) has made some tremendous saves. From corners and set pieces we are a threat at all times and can hurt teams with Jack and Dylan's delivery so to get  the equalising goal from a set piece was brilliant.”

League Report: Shamrock Rovers 2 - 2 Sligo Rovers https://t.co/TfnxSgtu61pic.twitter.com/5JLtPD3GCt

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 19, 2022