Ireland began their qualification campaign for the European Youths' Championship in impressive style at St Colman's Park last night where they beat Latvia 3-0.
Ireland scored after just 34 seconds through Jonathan Daly following a free from Stephen Brennan. The second was turned into the net after 10 minutes by Adrian Deane and Daly scored again after 40 minutes to put the game beyond reach.
In the other game played at Midleton Croatia beat Austria 1-0 to underline the strength of their challenge. Ireland next face Austria tomorrow at Turner's Cross and Croatia play Latvia at Buttevant.
IRELAND: Murphy (Manchester City); Brennan (Newcastle Utd), Paisley (Manchester City), Rossiter (Sunderland) McCarthy, Manchester City 53), Capper (Sunderland); Thornton (Tranmere Rovers), Ward (Wolves), Foley (Liverpool) Simpemba, Wycombe Wanderers 85), Kearney (Nottingham Forest); Daly (Stockport County), Deane (Charlton) O'Brien, Cork City 74).
