McCarthy's men abroad

Remember in 1998 when Ireland beat Italy 2-1 to win the Under-16 European Championships in Scotland? Remember left back Keith…

Remember in 1998 when Ireland beat Italy 2-1 to win the Under-16 European Championships in Scotland? Remember left back Keith Foy's peach of a freekick? Well, Foy is an auld fella now, pushing on 19, but is still putting his left foot to good use. On Saturday, playing for Nottingham Forest, he controlled a headed clearance on his thigh and then lobbed the opposing goalie from five yards outside the box with a left-foot volley, his first senior goal.

And who was the opposing goalie? None other than Joe Murphy, Foy's team-mate from that dizzy night at McDiarmid Park, Perth. Huh, nice to see you too, Keith. (And who was on the bench for Forest? Midfielder Andrew Reid, yet another of that Under-16 team who's been making a bit of a name for himself with Forest's Under-19s this season).

By all accounts, Foy's goal was very nearly as spectacular as Steve Staunton's 50-yard lob for Crystal Palace last week - just ask Murphy, he was in goal then too. As if he hadn't enough of Irish left feet, he'll be up against Blackburn next weekend. Word has it Damien Duff is back to full fitness. Careful Joe.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times