Irish disappointment for Jersey

Kennedy was forced to change his side as the request of the Irish

Both Jersey football teams in action against young Irish sides conceded six goals on Wednesday night.

Jersey Under-18s lost 6-0 to Northern Ireland at Springfield while the Republic of Ireland beat an under-strength senior team 6-1.

Ollie Thompson got the only goal for the seniors at a muddy Les Quennevais.

Senior manager Dave Kennedy was forced to withdraw a number of his players before the match over fears of injury to the young Irish team.

"I put out an experimental side of triallists and proved a bit too much for the lads," Kennedy told BBC Sport.

I was disappointed that we had to withdraw our senior players on the morning of the game as the Irish were worried about the risk of injury to their lads.

Jersey manager Dave Kennedy

Thompson's goal came after 30 minutes when Jersey were 2-0 down at a muddy Les Quennevais.

"We were looking for people to step up and unfortunately that didn't happen. Obviously we hadn't trained or played together, but the scoreline flattered the Irish as we didn't get going at all.

"I was disappointed that we had to withdraw our senior players on the morning of the game as the Irish were worried about the risk of injury to their lads before they went back to their senior clubs," Kennedy added.

The two Irish sides were in Jersey as part of Northern Ireland's preparations for the Centenary Shield tournament against the Under-18's sides of England, Scotland and Wales which is due to be played in the spring.