Four Nations Tournament/Rep of Ireland SP - 3; England XI - 2: Goals from John Flood, Eamon Zayed and John Russell, celebrating his 19th birthday, gave Ireland victory over the holders in last night's semi-professional tournament in Banff, Scotland, to establish Pat Devlin's side as favourites to win the tournament.
England captain Steve Guinan volleyed wide in the first minute before tapping home the opening goal after just five minutes.
Ireland recovered and Zayed wasn't far off target with a volley before he played the constructive part in the equaliser on 19 minutes. Zayed laid the ball off for Gerard Rowe to cross. The ball wasn't cleared and Zayed regained possession to go past a defender to cross for Flood who scored from the rebound, his diving header awkwardly parried by goalkeeper Matt Baker.
The two Bray players combined again to force Baker into the first real save on 27 minutes. Flood crossed low for Zayed whose shot on the turn was held by the goalkeeper.
Guinan shot over the top as Ireland survived a scare three minutes into the second half before hitting a post at the other end on 53 minutes. Flood showed composure to pick out captain Daryl Murphy's whose side-footed shot came back off an up right.
That proved a mere reprieve for the England goal as Ireland blitz them with a double strike in the 59th and 60th minute. The England defence sliced the ball into the air from Alan McDermott's clearance, Murphy headed the ball down for Zayed who blasted home from 12 yards.
It got worse for England within 60 seconds. Russell found himself unmarked at the back post to shoot home Flood's deep cross.
Guinan played the captain's role for England with his second goal of the night on 68 minutes when turning 20 yards out to hit a right-footer past Chris O'Connor.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: O'Connor (Bray Wanderers); O'Brien (Kildare County), McDermott (Shelbourne), McChrystal (Derry City), Davey (UCD); Rowe (Shelbourne), Lester (Drogheda United), Russell (Galway United), Flood (Bray Wanderers); Zayed (Bray Wanderers), Murphy (Waterford United). Subs: R Doyle (Bohemians) for Flood (75 mins), James (Bray Wanderers) for Rowe (89 mins).
ENGLAND: Baker; Cavanagh, Redmile , Tretton, Perkins; Thompson, Ricketts, Kerr; Guinan, Hatch, Sheldon. Subs: Sedge More for Cavanagh (14 mins), Southam for Ricketts (63 mins), Forewa for Thompson (81 mins).
Referee: P Southall (Wales).
