Madeira Under-21 Invitational Tournament/Portugal - 1Rep of Ireland - 2: The Republic of Ireland under-21s captured the Madeira Invitational Tournament for the second time in two years with a deserved 2-1 victory over Portugal in Machico yesterday.
Stephen Grant of Waterford United and Stephen Ward of Bohemians scored first-half goals to seal the win, Ward finishing top scorer in the competition with his second goal of the week.
Grant opened the scoring in the third minute when he was put through by Ward and slipped the ball between goalkeeper Ricardo Batista's legs.
Ward made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute when he was released by Arsenal teenager Anthony Stokes and raced on beat Batista with a calm finish.
Stokes was unfortunate not to kill the game off with an amazing effort in the 52nd minute when his thunderous shot from inside his own half forced Batista to make a frantic retreat to palm the ball over the bar.
Portugal pulled one back in the 88th minute when defender Miguel Veloso curled home a free-kick from the edge of the box, but the Irish held on for an impressive victory.
Michael Timlin got the armband back from Gary Dicker after he had missed the Finland game through suspension and he led the celebrations when he held the trophy aloft.
Don Givens's Irish-based players will return today from Gatwick on flight FR117, due to arrive in at 6.45pm.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Darren Quigley (UCD), Keith Keane (Luton Town), Richard Keogh (Bristol City), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), James Hand (Huddersfield Town), Stephen Grant (Waterford Utd), Gary Dicker (UCD), Michael Timlin (Fulham), Alan O'Brien (Newcastle United), Anthony Stokes (Arsenal), Stephen Ward (Bohemians). Subs: Christopher Deans (Waterford Utd) for Grant (84 mins), Roy O'Donovan (Cork City) for O'Brien (90 mins).
Republic of Ireland under-16 manager Vincent Butler has announced his squad to face Israel away in a double friendly on February 27th and March 1st.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-16 SQUAD: Kevin O'Brien (Douglas Hall), Mark Nolan (Shelbourne), Dean Marshall (Shelbourne), David Joyce (Castlebar Celtic), Paul Honohan (Wilton), Shane O'Connor (Wilton), Niall McArdle (Home Farm), James Doyle (Home Farm), Ian Daly (Home Farm), Daniel Langan (Belvedere), James O'Brien (Cherry Orchard), Michael Collins (Cherry Orchard), Kurtis Byrne (Cherry Orchard), Gareth Matthews (Cherry Orchard), Conor McCormack (Bellurgan), Craig Duggan (Kilreen Celtic)), Kieron Thorp (Charlton Athl), Joe Collins (Portsmouth).
