History beckons once again for Brian Kerr's remarkable Republic of Ireland under-16 team when they strive to beat Italy in the final of the UEFA Youths' Championship at McDiarmid Park, Perth tonight (kick-off 7.00).

As the senior international team struggles through a major transitional period, the Republic's youngest competitive team stands entrusted with continuing to raise the profile of Irish football and, it is hoped, become the first Irish team to win a major competition.

The players, ranging in age from 15 to 17, perhaps won't realise the magnitude and importance of their achievement so far, and what they may go on to achieve tonight in Scotland, until much nearer kick-off time.

However, reality was just about hitting home yesterday as their Stakis Hotel in Dunblane was inundated with messages and faxes of good luck.

Their achievement has certainly captured the imagination of the nation and not just those in the soccer community. Schools, GAA clubs, golf clubs, rugby clubs and organisations and businesses from all over the country, were amongst the 200 faxes received by lunchtime yesterday. Included was a brief message from the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

"Whatever happens tonight, what these young players have achieved is very special," said Kerr. "The bulk of the messages of support and well-wishing has come from small clubs at grassroots level all over the country. And it's to those people, and anyone who has ever helped run a schoolboy team, that the success of this team should be dedicated."

The importance of the fact that the team has got to the final playing football as the purest would like - passing well and attacking with imagination - cannot be over stated.

"Of course it is more satisfying to know that you are being successful when trying to play as the game should be played," said Kerr.

"It's also very nice when the coaches from teams like France and Portugal come to us and tell us we've played very well and our technique was very good."

It was also a point not lost on the Italian manager, Antonio Rocca, when asked was he surprised to be meeting Ireland in the final.

"No, not at all surprised," said Rocca. "We know Brian Kerr is a respected coach and because of his style and philosophy we knew Ireland would do very well. We do not regard ourselves as favourites. It will be a very even match."

Kerr's technical advisor, Pete Mahon, watched Italy's fortuitous semi-final win over Spain. "Like all Italian teams they play a sweeper and give little away at the back. Their captain Dalla Bona is a terrific player who will cause us problems if we don't close him down. He plays in behind their main striker and is regarded as a name to watch for the future," said Mahon.

Rocca, meanwhile, has had his staff run the rule over Ireland and regards wide players, Brendan McGill and Reid, as a real threat.

"Ireland are always difficult to play against," said Rocca. "They close the open spaces and they have a very good counterattack on the flanks which we will have to be careful of."

While every department of the Irish team has naturally played a significant role in reaching the final, the goalkeeper, Joseph Murphy, and back four of John Thompson, John O'Shea, Jim Goodwin and Keith Foy deserve additional credit.

Tonight's game will mean the team have played six matches in the space of 13 days and they have been fortunate as regards injuries. The unlucky man out, however, is Desmond Byrne, who broke a toe.

Brendan McGill, who picked up a slight groin strain against Portugal, and Kevin Grogan, who hurt a wrist, have been treated and the three days rest has seen them recover fully.

David McMahon, suspended for the semi-final, will return to lead the attack, possibly replacing Kevin Grogan. It is a side which is quietly confident of a victory tonight and a place in history.

Republic Of Ireland (probable): Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Thompson (Home Farm), O'Shea (Waterford Bohemians), Goodwin (Celtic), Foy (Nottingham Forest); Barrett (Arsenal), Miller (Celtic), Byrne (West Ham United); McGill (Rivervalley Rangers), McMahon (Newcastle United), Reid (Nottingham Forest).