Brian Kerr's Irish Under-19s had to settle for a narrow win in the end despite running up what appeared a match-winning 2-0 lead within the opening 17 minutes of this second of two friendlies with Canada at Whitehall last night.

As in the first game, Ireland utterly dominated the first-half and created many chances from the start. The first goal came on 13 minutes from a setpiece with captain Jonathan Daly rising unchallenged to head home a Liam Kearney free-kick from the right.

Within a further four minutes it was 2-0. Keith Graydon, who seconds earlier had had a header saved by Kareen, punished poor defending to drive home from eight yards after a scramble in the area.

But Ireland allowed Canada back into the game in the second-half and the visitors pulled a goal back on 63 minutes through Paul O'Donoghue.

NATIONAL LEAGUE: Premier Division - undalk 1 (Prizeman 58), Galway United 1 (Murphy 28).