Ireland U-19s defeat Italy
Thursday, 20 January 2005 17:05The Republic of Ireland Under-19 team scored a remarkable 2-0 victory over Italy in the second of two friendlies against Italy in Bisceglie, Bari this afternoon.
Sean McCaffrey's team built on their 0-0 result on Tuesday to outplay and outscore their more experienced rivals.
After a scoreless first half, the game was finally turned Ireland's way in a six minute spell early in the second half.
First Diarmuid O'Carroll of Celtic netted in the 53rd min and just short of the hour Ipswich Town's Billy Clarke added a second.
Indeed the Irish could have made 3-0 three minutes from time when substitute Shane Long of Cork City had a diving header come off a post. McCaffrey gave all his players a run out in this game.
Speaking after the game the Irish Manager paid tribute to his players and said: "This was a great result considering we lost ten players from the original squad. To draw with Italy was great but to beat them 2-0 is simply superb".
