UNDER-19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Republic of Ireland Under-19 3 Italy Under-19 0:THE REPUBLIC of Ireland will be represented at the Under-19 European Championship in July for the first time in nine years after beating Italy yesterday in Kolobrzeg, Poland.
Group leaders Italy required just a draw from this concluding elite stage qualifier but Paul Doolin’s side usurped them for top spot.
Bray Wanderers striker Conor Murphy grabbed the crucial breakthrough on 32 minutes by breaking clear on goal from a long ball before chipping goalkeeper Francesco Bardi from 20 yards.
Ireland substitute Seán Murray claimed a superb second goal following a Kevin Knight cross and Aberdeen first-teamer Joe Shaughnessy killed the game off with a third following a headed knock-down by Murphy.
Ireland will now take their place alongside the winners of the other six groups and hosts Romania at the finals to be played from July 20th to August 1st.
Manager Paul Doolin praised the players’ efforts at the end of a week which included a win over mini-group hosts Poland and draw against 2009 champions Ukraine.
“To finish the three games against top opposition at the elite phase as group winners without even conceding a goal is a fantastic feat for the players,” he said.
“There was a fantastic level of spirit amongst the group and that closeness played a major part in getting us through the group this week”.
REP OF IRELAND: McCarey (Wolves); Doherty (Wolves), Shaughnessy (Aberdeen), Egan (Sunderland), Williams (Aston Villa); Walker (Wrexham), OSullivan (Blackburn Rovers), Hendrick (Derby County), Carruthers (Aston Villa); Forde (Wolves), Murphy (Bray Wanderers). Subs: Knight (Leicester City) for Forde (h-t), Murray (Watford) for Walker (48 mins), Lopez (Bohemians) for Carruthers (90 mins).
