Former Southend man Jason Healy was the hero for the Ireland U-17s yesterday as they qualified for the Elite Round of the Euro U-17 qualifiers.
The Waterford FC goalkeeper saved a penalty as Colin O'Brien's side drew 1-1 with Norway yesterday, securing their passage to the next phase.
Ferrybank man Romeo Akachukwu started in midfield with Healy between the posts, as Ireland went 1-0 down early on with Norway scoring through Temesgen Tewelde, but Nickson Odukun equalised seven minutes later for the Boys in Green.
With little time left in the second period, Healy came up trumps with Ireland needing to secure at least a point from the game - as he dived strongly to his left to keep out a spot-kick and secure a draw for his country.
LATEST | #IRLU17 | ??1-1??
Jason Healy saves the penalty?⚽️
Brilliant stop from the @WaterfordFCie man to keep it level ?
Final stages of the game in Norway - watch live ? https://t.co/InTVUiHThq#COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/eK8GttSa22
— FAIreland ⚽️?? (@FAIreland) October 26, 2022
It capped off a fine international window for the two Waterford-based U-17s, with Akachukwu having scored the opener in a 4-0 win over Belarus, a game in which Healy also kept a clean sheet.
For all the latest in Waterford sport, click here.
