Brian Kerr added another winner's medal to his collection as his Under-20 side won the UAE invitational tournament following the final round of games in Abu Dhabi on Friday. A ninth minute goal from Nottingham Forest striker Liam Kearney proved enough to give Ireland a 1-0 win over a highly-rated France side this afternoon to put Kerr's men top of the group on 6 points.
Korea, who beat Ireland 2-1 on Monday, needed a win against hosts the UAE after their draw with France on Wednesday, but their match finished scoreless to give Ireland outright victory, and add to Kerr's growing reputation.
Having lost the opener to Korea, Kerr made several changes for Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the UAE, with Bray Wanderers striker Eamonn Zayed repaying Kerr's faith in him with two well taken goals. Zayed kept his place in the starting line-up as Kerr put out his strongest side, and his selection paid-off with a win which will give the side a boost ahead of U-20 World Cup later this year.
The starting XI was:Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Capper (Sunderland), Paul Keegan (Leeds United), Darren Potter (Liverpool), Michael Foley (Liverpool) Captain, Liam Kearney (Nottingham Forest), Eamon Zayed (Bray Wanderers), Kevin Doyle (St Patrick's Athletic).
Filed by Shane Murray
