Soccer

Josh Cullen caps competitive Ireland U21 debut with goal

Skipper Tommie Hoban also opened the scoring from Cullen corner

West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen scored on his debut in the Republic of Ireland under-21’s victory away to Andorra. Photograph: Tony Marshall/Getty Images
West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen scored on his debut in the Republic of Ireland under-21’s victory away to Andorra. Photograph: Tony Marshall/Getty Images
Tue Sept 08 2015 - 18:48

Andorra U21 0 Republic of Ireland 2

Josh Cullen’s dream couple of weeks continued with a goal on his competitive debut as Republic of Ireland under-21s won 2-0 in Andorra.

The 19-year-old midfielder made his Premier League debut in West Ham’s memorable 3-0 win at Anfield last month and signed a new Upton Park contract on transfer deadline day.

And Cullen made an immediate impact at the Estadi Comunal when his corner was converted by skipper Tommie Hoban in the 13th minute.

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Eight minutes later Cullen doubled Ireland's lead with a composed finish after he was teed up by Fulham's Sean Kavanagh.

Cullen almost turned creator for a third when he set up Alan Browne but the Preston midfielder fired narrowly over the crossbar.

Andorra finished the game with 10 men after captain Marc Ferre was shown a second yellow card two minutes from time.

Victory made it two wins out of two in Group Two for Noel King’s side, having beaten the same opposition 1-0 in Waterford in March in the race to qualify for Poland 2017.