Brian Kerr's latest batch of under-16s maintained their 100 per cent record with a comprehensive defeat of Northern Ireland in a friendly at Whitehall last night.
Having won all four games in winning the Nordic Cup in Iceland back in July, the Republic made it five wins from five games as they completely outplayed their opponents.
The continuing progress made by this team augurs well for the defence of the European title, which begins with a qualifying tournament in Israel next February.
Having come close on three occasions, Ireland finally took the lead on 26 minutes when a pacy free-kick into the box by Andy Reid was headed into his own goal by Mark Clyde.
Three minutes later, Reid, the sole survivor from last year's European Championship winning team, provided a superb cross for the impressive JJ Melligan to head past the busy Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Aaron Kerr.
Despite many substitutions in the second-half, Ireland kept their shape, and but for some frantic defending would have added further goals before the end.
Republic Of Ireland: Roche (Nottingham Forest); Hudson (Nottingham Forest), Byrne (Sunderland), Coleman (Leeds United), Mitchell (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Melligan (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Van Zantan (Tolka Rovers), McDermott (Manchester United), Reid (Nottingham Forest); O'Flynn (Leeds, Cork), Doyle (Blackburn Rovers). Subs: Lester (Everton) for McDermott (inj 18 mins), Gamble (Everton, Cork) and Larkin (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Mitchell and O'Flynn (both at half-time), Lonergan (Preston) and McCormick (Peterborough United) for Roche and Reid (both 54 mins), Field (Arsenal) and Robinson (Middlesbrough) for Melligan and Doyle (both 60 mins).
Northern Ireland: Kerr (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Clyde (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Adams (Cliftonville), Buchanan (Bolton Wanderers); Hagan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), McCann (Rangers), McElholme (Leyton Orient), Graham (Coventry City), Long (St Andrews); McCargo (Leeds United), Parkhouse (Manchester City). Subs: Mannus (Linfield), Willis (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dickson (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and McCord (Linfield) for Kerr, Parkhouse, McCargo and Long (all at half-time), Rogan (Coleraine) for Graham (60 mins), McCurdy (Brighton) for McCann (70 mins). Referee: E Barr (Dublin).
