Independent Rs Messageboard

[Steve Russell]

News from the Club...

'LYNDON Dykes and Paul Smyth were both involved as Northern Ireland beat Scotland in an international friendly
at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

Dykes started the fixture and clocked up 70 minutes as the visitors ran out 1-0 victors. Smyth was introduced for the
final seven minutes, replacing Conor Bradley whose impressive first-half strike proved decisive.

Scotland, who are preparing for this summer's Euro 2024 tournament, fell to a 4-0 defeat in the Netherlands on
Friday, too - Dykes an unused substitute.

Smyth also didn't come from the bench when Northern Ireland drew 1-1 in Romania on the same night.

Morgan Fox's Wales, another of the home nations, suffered penalty heartache in their play-off final to reach Euro 2024.

Wales beat Finland 4-1 in their semi-final contest on Thursday, only to fall at the final hurdle against Poland when
Tuesday's tie went to penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time. Fox was on the bench but didn't feature in either
game.

Things were more positive for Joe Hodge and Sinclair Armstrong, though. Hodge was named Republic of Ireland Under-21s
captain before Armstrong hit a brace for the Boys in Green as they thrashed San Marino U21s 7-0 away in their Euros qualifier
on Sunday.

Armstrong played 70 minutes, Hodge - who was also an unused sub for the senior side's 1-0 home friendly defeat to Switzerland
on Tuesday - 75.

Ken Paal was in friendly action for Suriname - playing 81 minutes against Martinique in a 1-1 draw in Almere on Sunday.

Finally, congratulations once again to academy duo Alfie Tuck and Charlie Street for their involvement with Wales' U19s
and U16s respectively.