Republic of Ireland U19 2-1 Netherlands U19
Adam Idah and Will Ferry scored as the Republic of Ireland topped their European Under-19 Championship group with a 2-1 win against the Netherlands at City Calling Stadium on Tuesday.
Victories over Bosnia & Herzegovina and the Faroe Islands had ensured that Tom Mohan's side had already qualified for the Elite Round with a game to spare.
The Dutch have also qualified for the Elite Round with wins over the same opposition.
But the win for Ireland today improves their seeding for the next phase.
The Dutch took the lead in Longford as striker Ole Romenij opened the scoring on 15 minutes.
Ireland equalised just before the half-hour mark. Briliant link-up play by Lee O'Connor and Troy Parrott saw Jason Knight's shot parried into Idah's path. The striker got his shot away just ahead of goakeeper Jasper Schendelaar to score his second goal of the round.
The winner came 20 minutes from full-time as Knight's shot beat Schendelaar to delight the home crowd.
Mohan said: "It was great to win the game. The boys showed great character and resilience. It's a great group. They know they can play against the best of teams.
"We defended really well, right from the front to the back. We limited the Dutch to very few chances. We had numerous chances and could have scored more."
The draw for the Elite Round will take place in Nyon on 6 December.
Republic of Ireland: Brian Maher; Andy Lyons, Lee O'Connor (capt), Nathan Collins, Jack James; Conor Coventry, Aaron Bolger; Jason Knight, Troy Parrott, Will Ferry; Adam Idah (Jonathan Afolabi 80).
Netherlands: Jasper Schendelaar; Jurriën Timber, Lutsharel Geertruida, Kik Pierie (capt), Juan Familio-Castillo (Millen Baars 82); Ludovit Reis (Wouter Burger 71), Orkun Kökcü, Ryan Gravenberch (Mohamed Mallahi 60); Mohammed Ihattaren (Jurgen Ekkelenkamp 82), Daishawn Redan, Ole Romenij (Ian Smeulers 71)
Referee: Filip Glova (Slovakia).
