Lowry makes U16’s Ireland debut

It’s been a week to remember for Ballinabrana youngster Cormac Lowry who made his Ireland U16’s debut in two international friendlies against Poland. In the first game on Monday, the Waterford U15’s captain came off the bench for the final 13 minutes before starting on Thursday.

Cormac’s father Mick said it was a great week for the former New Oak player. 

“Brilliant, a great experience for him. Two really tough games, and he played in both. He came on in the first game when they were defending a 1-0 lead and saw that out to win the game. In the second game, he started, he was playing in the 8 position. 

Another brilliant game in terms of the competitiveness of it. A brilliant experience overall for him. To be fair, all the players got good game-time, anyone who didn’t play the first game played the second, and were treated on a par.” 

Mick added that it was a great learning experience for the youngster. 

“It’s a very serious camp, it was a very structured week. You could tell when he came home that he really enjoyed the experience. With Waterford at the moment, they’re playing Tier 2 football at the moment. 

Everyone in the squad was playing Tier 1 or higher, there was a guy in there from Liverpool, there was someone else from Burton Albion. They’re playing at a I don’t want to say higher level but a different level. 

The intensity and physicality is a lot different when you go to international level. Poland were a very physical outfit, but that’s what it’s about, getting out of your comfort zone and being challenged. 

There was a large group of players from Shamrock Rovers who would be used to their own tactics and techniques so he had to get those players adjusted to him and vice versa so it was good.”

It was back to business with Waterford U15's on Saturday for Cormac, less than 48 hours after landing back in Ireland. The skipper missed a penalty in a 2-1 defeat away to Treaty.