Ireland vs Latvia

Good evening and welcome to the Independent.ie live blog of the Republic of Ireland against Latvia at the AVIVA Stadium. My name is Dylan O'Connell and I ...

Republic of Ireland face their first test of the 2023 campaign when they welcome Latvia to the Av...

- Callum Robinson has scored five goals in his last seven friendly appearances for the Republic of Ireland, including a hat-trick against Qatar in October 2021. "Hopefully it will be the same for this camp, and not only for this camp but for him, personally, for the rest of the season and for the rest of his career, as I am sure he is going to have a good one." - Republic of Ireland’s Evan Ferguson has appeared twice as a substitute for Eire, against Norway and Malta in November. I haven’t seen all of the games, but from the highlights and the goals he is scoring, he is scoring some good goals with great composure for someone who is only 18. "At 18 years of age now, he's showing he is ready to come into the team and he will make his first start tomorrow in the game." He's had a great start to his Premier League career and is scoring some goals in the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup.

Daniel McDonnell of the Irish Independent has reported that the most likely front three for the friendly game is Will Smallbone in behind Evan Ferguson and ...

The only other confirmation that Kenny has confirmed is that Matt Doherty will start the game, and be the captain on the day. This front three has of course never started a game together, as this will be the first start for the senior side for both Smallbone and Ferguson. [Daniel McDonnell](https://twitter.com/McDonnellDan?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) of the Irish Independent has reported that the most likely front three for the friendly game is Will Smallbone in behind Evan Ferguson and Michael Obafemi.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has confirmed that Brighton striker Evan Ferguson will make his start for the Boys in Green against Latvia while .

Speaking on the talented 18-year-old, Kenny said: "His career is in its infancy. He's had a great start to his Premier League career and is scoring some goals in the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup. "He's showing he is ready to come into the team and he will make his first start tomorrow in the game."

Matt Doherty captains the side for the first time in the absence of Seamus Coleman and John Egan, both of whom are on the bench. In goal, Caoimhín Kelleher gets ...

Most of this in attendance at the Aviva will have their eyes set on Evan Ferguson, with the 18-year old handed a first senior international start. A creative midfielder, he is the type of player the Irish squad has been lacking in recent years. It is also a game that Ireland will be expected to win against a nation who are currently 134th position in the FIFA world rankings.

The Republic of Ireland's most recent official action was in the UEFA Nations League, with their last six matches being in the international European tournament ...

Ireland take on Latvia in their first match of the year. Ireland are using the friendly as a warm-up for a huge Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

He was also outmuscled at times by Latvia in the middle of the park. He was on the edge of the game against Latvia but showed some decent flashes of play. At a time when Irish players are few and far between in the Premier League, Ferguson has been a revelation over the past few months. Ogbene was busy after that, but his final ball into the box wasn't always accurate. His pace on the break means he will be a contender to start against France. He didn't stop running though and helped set the tempo for Ireland. He looked rusty and was beaten twice in the first half. The wing-back was another player in need of game time. Ireland's two goals in the first half came from Doherty's crosses into the penalty area and he linked well with debutant Smallbone. Molumby did well carrying the ball forward for Ireland's second goal. Collins was yet another Irish player who needed game time ahead of the France match. Ireland are using the friendly at the Aviva Stadium as a warm-up game for a huge [Euro 2024](https://www.sportsjoe.ie/sports/uefa-euro-2024) qualifier against France.

Ireland warmed-up for Monday's Euro 2024 qualification opener against France with a hard-earned 3-2 victory over the Latvians on Wednesday.

Ogbene and Johnston gave a glimpse of what they offer Stephen Kenny if called upon in the immediate future. Despite a lack of game-time, Doherty used the ball intelligently. An Irish starting XI with an average age of 23 included individuals auditioning to face the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antoine Griezmann.

It took Evan Ferguson less than 20 minutes to score his maiden goal for Ireland · 16 Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool) · 22 Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City).

And while Ferguson had all the prematch attention, Smallbone might well be just as important to Ireland’s development in the years ahead. Obafemi took up a position on the endline and was able to tap the ball back to the six-yard box where Ferguson pounced. Got himself in a brilliant position to nod home an early goal, showing great awareness to first read Smallbone’s delivery and then show the determination to get in front of his man to head the ball low to the back of the net. As most of the Ireland players made their way over to celebrate with Callum O’Dowda following his goal, Dara O’Shea made a beeline for Molumby, because it was a brilliant ball-winning tackle in the middle of the field by the West Brom man that set Ireland on their way for the goal. Captain on the night, and Doherty certainly led by example in the opening half-hour as he was involved in so much of Ireland’s creative attacking play – including the first two goals. Latvia rarely got in behind the Ireland defence, but Omobamidele was forced to scramble back midway through the first half after a ball over the top set the visitors away.

Ireland take on Latvia in their first match of the year. Ireland are using the friendly as a warm-up for a huge Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

He was also outmuscled at times by Latvia in the middle of the park. He was on the edge of the game against Latvia but showed some decent flashes of play. At a time when Irish players are few and far between in the Premier League, Ferguson has been a revelation over the past few months. Ogbene was busy after that, but his final ball into the box wasn't always accurate. His pace on the break means he will be a contender to start against France. He didn't stop running though and helped set the tempo for Ireland. He looked rusty and was beaten twice in the first half. The wing-back was another player in need of game time. Ireland's two goals in the first half came from Doherty's crosses into the penalty area and he linked well with debutant Smallbone. Molumby did well carrying the ball forward for Ireland's second goal. Collins was yet another Irish player who needed game time ahead of the France match. Ireland are using the friendly at the Aviva Stadium as a warm-up game for a huge [Euro 2024](https://www.sportsjoe.ie/sports/uefa-euro-2024) qualifier against France.