Don Givens' Republic of Ireland Under-21 side bowed out of the European Championships in fighting spirit this evening with a convincing 3-0 victory over Cyprus in Longford.
Givens named nine of Ireland's 1998 Under-16s European Championship-winning side for tonight's match, handing debuts to Celtic trio Liam Miller, Jim Goodwin and Michael Doyle. Nottingham Forest duo John Thompson and Andy Reid also won their maiden caps.
Michael Doyle ensured a dull first half was soon forgotten when he stabbed home Ireland's first goal after 53 minutes. The same player was in on the act again just six minutes later, his quality strike creeping in with the aid of the right hand post.
Goal of the game was reserved for the player of the game when Sunderland's Andy Reid, certainly a player of the future, completed the scoring with an exquisite left foot shot in the 67th minute. In truth, Ireland could and should have won by a wider margin, but it finished 3-0.
Filed by Tom Grealis
