Republic of Ireland Secures Victory Over Real Murcia B as Finneran Shines
The Republic of Ireland’s week in Spain began with a quiet, controlled win and a loud statement about the future.
A 2-0 training-game victory over Real Murcia B at the La Finca Resort Training Centre will not echo through any record books, but it served its purpose: minutes in the legs before Saturday’s friendly against Grenada, and a first real taste of senior international football for one of the most talked‑about teenagers in the Irish system.
Alli strikes, Idah finishes the job
Ireland moved through the gears without ever needing to hit top speed. Millenic Alli thought he had opened the scoring early on, only to see an effort chalked off for offside. The warning shot was clear; the next one counted.
On 18 minutes, Alli found the breakthrough, this time timing his run and finish to give Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side a deserved lead. It settled Ireland, turned the game into a controlled exercise, and allowed the head coach to treat the evening like an extended tactical drill.
The second half became about rotation and rhythm. Adam Idah, introduced from the bench, provided the cushion late on, adding a second goal to underline the gulf in quality. No drama, no late scramble. Just a professional job done.
Hallgrimsson shuffles the pack
Hallgrimsson used 17 players across the game, a clear sign of his priorities. This was about sharpness, auditions, and combinations as much as the scoreline.
With Grenada on the horizon and a long season in many legs, the Icelandic coach spread the workload. Senior regulars topped up their fitness; fringe players and youngsters were handed the kind of opportunity that can quietly shift a pecking order.
No one embodied that more than Rory Finneran.
Finneran’s first steps with the seniors
At 18, the Newcastle midfielder has already carved out a small piece of history, becoming Blackburn Rovers’ youngest ever player when he debuted as a 15-year-old in an FA Cup tie in January 2024. On this warm-up night in Murcia, he added another line to a fast-growing CV.
Given a start and the full first half, Finneran did not hide. He had an early shot blocked and showed enough to suggest he belongs in this company, before making way for Conor Coventry at the interval.
His inclusion in the squad only came last Friday, a late call-up after injuries to Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Ipswich Town winger Kasey McAteer opened the door. Finneran walked straight through it.
Speaking to FAI TV in Murcia, the Manchester-born former Ireland under-17 captain did not disguise what it meant.
“Massively proud moment,” he said, explaining how he qualifies for Ireland through his father’s family from Sligo. “I didn’t expect it. A late call in but a massive achievement for me and I’m looking forward to the week.”
He described finding out on a day off at home, sitting on the news for a couple of hours before replying to Hallgrimsson’s message and then taking the call that changed his week.
“It’s good to get around the lads that play first team professional high level, it’s good get around it and see what they do day to day,” he added.
Eyes on Grenada – and a debut
This was a training game in name, but for Finneran it was something more: a first stride into senior international football, even if it will never be listed as an official cap.
Now comes the part that really matters.
“Obviously that’s the goal for this week,” he said of a competitive debut. “It’s up to me in training, doing what I can to impress and show what I can do at that level.”
Ireland will turn their attention to Grenada with a useful win banked, a squad lightly rotated, and a teenager suddenly closer to the real thing.
The warm-up is done. The next question is whether Hallgrimsson is ready to trust one of his youngest options when the lights go on this weekend.
