Poland U21 1 Rep of Ireland U21 5Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott bagged a hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland under-21s enjoyed an emphatic victory over Poland in Gdansk in what was the biggest victory of manager Don Givens's reign.
Elliott opened the scoring in the third minute of the friendly game when he fired home a rebound after his initial effort had been saved. But Poland were given a lifeline after 15 minutes when Pavel Addott fired past Dan Connor.
The visitors were back in front in the 27th minute when Elliott turned provider, playing in Wes Hoolahan who rifled the ball home.
John O'Flynn was next on the scoresheet in the 74th minute when he hammered the ball home after substitute Brian Cash's cross had found him unmarked in the area.
Ireland continued to push and Elliott grabbed a fourth Irish goal in the 81st minute. Three minutes from time Elliott completed his hat-trick when he hammered home a Hoolahan pass.
REP OF IRELAND U-21: Connor; Kelly, Byrne, Cryan, Kohlmann (Capper, 76 mins); Gilroy (Cash, 67 mins), O'Connor (Ward 80 mins), Keegan, Hoolahan; O'Flynn (Zayed, 76 mins), Elliott.
