The Republic of Ireland under-16s won through to a showdown with England in the final of the Nordic Cup after defeating Norway in an eventful game at Dalvik, Iceland last night.
Brian Kerr's side won their group with a 100 per cent record.
England beat Sweden 3-1 to top Group B and set up a rematch with Ireland at 4 p.m. today; England beat this Irish team in the under-15 tournament in Montague, France early this summer, courtesy of a late goal.
Bray youngster Robert Doyle was Ireland's goal hero, as he was against Iceland on Wednesday, with the only strike of the game after 20 minutes.
A minute earlier Andy Reid spurned a chance to give Ireland the lead when his feebly hit penalty was comfortably stopped by Norwegian goalkeeper, Hagon Opsdal.
Doyle made no mistake within a minute when finishing off a strong run by shooting past Opdal from an acute angle.
Ireland's grip on the game was further strengthened on 27 minutes when Norway midfielder Kurt Heggstad was sent off for kicking out at an Irish player.
Ireland struggled, however, to increase their winning margin, missing several good opportunities in the second half.
Republic Of Ireland: Harpur (Chelsea); Van Zanten (Tolka Rovers), Byrne (Sunderland), Coleman (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Daly (Kilnamanagh), Murray (Blackburn Rovers), Melligan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lester (Everton), Reid (Nottingham Forest), Doyle (Ardmore Rovers), Cawley (Leeds United). Subs: Creamer (Leeds United) and Robinson (Middlesbrough) for Lester and Reid (both 63 mins), McNamara (Nottingham Forest) for Doyle (73 mins).
Jason Sherlock has signed for Shamrock Rovers from UCD for two seasons.
Others to sign two-year contracts are Brendan Markey from Millwall, Terry Palmer from UCD and Billy Woods from Portadown.
Rovers have retained all of last season's squad and have named Frank O'Neill, formerly of Bohemians, as assistant manager.
The National League United have announced the final player-of-the-month awards for last season. The supporters' club named Michael Reddy of Kilkenny City as the player of the month for April, with the Premier Division player-of-the-season award going to Colin Hawkins of St Patrick's Athletic.
Waterford United's player-manager Tommy Lynch received the First Division award.
Awards were announced for the first time for Dublin Women's Soccer League Premier Division players.
The May award went to Bernie O'Reilly of Shamrock Rovers and the June award to Pauline Devlin, also of Shamrock Rovers.
Former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo is considering legal action against Romario over an unflattering caricature adorning the walls of a toilet in a bar co-owned by the Brazilian striker.
