Estonia 0 Republic of Ireland 3
Two headers by Arsenal's Graham Barrett and another by substitute Jim Goodwin sent the Republic of Ireland marching to a clear-cut victory in their U-21 European Championship qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn this evening.
Barrett's strikes were his first in nine appearances for Don Givens' team and a justified reward for the Irish dominance of opponents who are at the bottom of the group two table without a point. The goal scored by debutant Goodwin two minutes from time was merely confirmation of their dominance. Barrett registered the opener after just seven minutes from a cross by impressive Sunderland winger Tommy Butler. And it was Butler's free-kick 13 minutes into the second half which brought the second as the slightly built Barrett bravely powered home among a clutch of big Estonian defenders.
The Republic lads showed it was possible to play sharp, passing football despite a bumpy, heavily sanded pitch at the Lillekula Stadium where their seniors must also play in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow. The only negatives were that they should have had several more goals, especially new striker Clinton Morrison, the Crystal Palace forward who is determined to open his international account and move up to the senior squad as soon as possible.
Morrison did almost everything but score. He scooped over the bar from six yards when sliding in for a corner from Stephen Reid in the 41st minute and struck a post when it looked easier to net right on the half-time whistle. The Palace player tried his heart out and it was the final anguish when his blazing effort comfortably beat the Estonian keeper just before the end – but was ruled out for offside. But then sub Goodwin, arriving in place of Jason Gavin, showed him the way with another bullet header - set up once again by the elusive Butler. The Irish youngsters, sadly, cannot qualify for the finals of the European Championship. That chance disappeared with their home defeat by Portugal last Friday but they bounced back well to deliver a confident performance against the much-inferior Estonians.
Filed by Pat Nugent
