Ireland outclassed

Two impressive goals inside the first half-hour set up Denmark's victory over the Irish under-16 side in their second group match at the European Youth Olympics in Esbjerg, Denmark, yesterday.

A second tournament goal by midfielder and Arsenal signing Keith Fahy brought the Irish back to 2-1 just before the interval, but after that they never looked like booking their place in tomorrow's Gold Medal play-off.

It took 16 minutes for the hosts to open the scoring after an ambitious shot from Claus Pedersen caught Brian Murphy wrong-footed in the Irish goal. Pedersen was then fouled five metres outside the box 10 minutes later and while his free was deflected, Thomas Andersen was first in for the rebound to make it two. Fahy's superb solo effort blasted into the top corner two minutes before the break, but that was the last real hope of an Irish revival. The Danes slacked off slightly, but Martin Hansen managed to finish a succession of shots to put them 3-1 up on 58 minutes.

Keith Graydon's sending off 10 minutes from time didn't help matters, but captain Stephen Capper pulled one back with four minutes left following a fumble by the Danish goalkeeper, Stig Olsen. The Irish will now have to wait until the completion of Denmark's game with Switzerland today to discover what role they are to play in tomorrow's finals.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Murphy, Ross, Gartland, McCarthy, Capper, Ward, Brennan, Fahy, Fenton, Graydon, Burke. Subs: Rossiter for Burke (51 mins), Kohlman for Brennan (63 mins), McMahon for Burke (79 mins).

DENMARK: Olsen, Hansen, Bidstrup, Svard, Jensen, Mathieson, Alding, Pedersen, Kamper, Hansen, Andersen. Subs: Dibbern for Mathieson (56 mins), Lundbye for Andersen (78 mins).