Ireland Under-23 ... 2 Slovakia Under-23 ... 0:With Christmas lurking, English and Scottish scouts descended on Dublin last night for a spot of window-shopping, but whether they saw enough to part with the readies remains to be seen.

Representatives from Crystal Palace were in town to size up strikers Dave Mooney, Denis Behan and Conor Samonn.

Dundee United, Leeds, Colchester and Brighton officials were also on hand.

Sammon remained benched until the 79th minute, but Behan and Mooney did enough from the start to merit a second look.

But it was Derry City's Killian Brennan who stole the show as Pat Fenlon's team opened their Challenge Trophy account with a convincing victory.

Thrown together in recent days, you'd be forgiven for expecting a disjointed, end-of-season display from jaded players. But the locals played with cohesion and purpose throughout.

Fenlon's selection consisted solely of League of Ireland players but, owing to the time in possession this grade affords, their cut was a far cry from typical league fare. Slick ball was repeatedly worked short and direct to ensured an uncomfortable night for off-pace visitors.

Paul Keegan and Stephen Rice proved the catalysts in the centre. Much of Ireland's best work was generated through the pair, with wingers John Paul Kelly and Brennan benefiting most.

Brennan's deadball work was superb and his 26th-minute cross to the back post allowed the unmarked Gavin Peers head home the opener.

Ireland turned the screw after the half hour. Rice's effort crashed off the bar but Brennan drilled the rebound at the goalkeeper who carried the ball over the line.

That lead should have been extended after the break but Hrosso pulled off stunning saves to deny Mooney and Conor Kenna, while Keegan battered the bar at the death.

REP OF IRELAND:Murphy (Shamrock Rovers); O'Brien (Shamrock Rovers), Peers (Sligo Rovers), Kenna (UCD), Powell (Bohemians); Kelly (Bohemians), Keegan (Drogheda), Rice (Shamrock Rovers), Brennan (Derry City); Mooney (Longford Town), Behan (Cork City). Subs: Rowe (Shamrock Rovers) for Behan (64), O'Donnell (Bohemians) for Rice (70), Samonn (UCD) for Mooney (79), Kavanagh (Bray Wanderers) for Kelly (90).

SLOVAKIA:Hrosso; Cogley, Janokis, Gallo, Furman; Lesko, Shiek, Zapotoka, Juhar; Duris, Khzma. Subs: Lacny for Furman (half-time), Katona for Khzma (63), Toth for Lacny, Gabris for Duris (88).

Referee:R Winter (Dublin)