Sport

Youths maintain winning streak

Brian Kerr's reigning UEFA under-16 champions began their challenge at the under-17 invitational tournament in Israel yesterday…

Wed Dec 30 1998 - 00:00

Brian Kerr's reigning UEFA under-16 champions began their challenge at the under-17 invitational tournament in Israel yesterday with a convincing win over Belgium.

It was a particularly encouraging performance by Ireland as they were missing five key members of the squad that won the European title in Scotland last May, thus forcing Kerr to introduce four new caps at this level.

Inspired by captain Shaun Byrne, Ireland survived a scare after 20 minutes when a superb saving tackle by central defender Brian O'Callaghan prevented Belgium's Christopher Albrecht from scoring. With their strong midfield controlling the game, Byrne set up fellow midfielder Liam Miller who shot over the crossbar on 32 minutes, before Ireland took the lead five minutes later.

Winger Brendan McGill played Byrne through the Belgian defence and he showed excellent composure to chip goalkeeper Tom Meyers and score from a tight angle.

READ MORE

Meyers then excelled himself, keeping his side in the match at the break with a stunning save to deprive Irish striker David McMahon.

Belgium enjoyed their best spell of the game early in the second-half and were rewarded with a 46th-minute equaliser from Thomas Choletts. With Byrne instrumental once again Ireland regained the lead 10 minutes later when his low cross to the near post was clipped past Meyers by McMahon.

A well rehearsed free-kick brought a third goal to seal Ireland's win on 66 minutes. Gary Dempsey played the ball short to Byrne who centred to the far post where central defender Jim Goodwin arrived to head home.

"I was pleased with the performance, particularly in the second-half," said Kerr. "I was also very happy to give debuts at this level to Brian McCrystal, Vincent Sullivan, Thomas Butler and Brendan Kelly."

Ireland meet Turkey in the second match of the six-nation tournament this afternoon.

Republic Of Ireland: Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Goodwin (Celtic), O'Callaghan (Barnsley), Byrne (Stockport County); Miller (Celtic), Byrne (West Ham United), Dempsey (Everton), McGill (Sunderland); Forsyth (Blackburn Rovers), McMahon (Newcastle United). Subs: Kelly (Belvedere Boys) for Forsyth (58 mins); McCrystal (Leeds United) for O'Callaghan (67 mins); Sullivan (Celtic) and Butler (Sunderland) for Dempsey and McGill (both 73 mins).