Republic Under-21s coach Ian Evans last night applauded goalkeeper Derek O'Connor for justifying the faith shown in him after their 1-0 President's Cup win over Northern Ireland.

The Coventry City man saved a 66th minute penalty from Norwich striker Adrian Coote to ensure Northern Ireland Under-21s went down to a Barry Ferguson goal at Inverness. Evans said: "Derek pulled off a great save when we needed it."

Rep Of Ireland U-21: O'Connor, Worrell (Maybury 45), Ryan, McClare, Hawkins (Mahon 62), Ferguson, Folan, Murphy, Molloy, Conlon, McKeever (McPhail 75). Subs Not Used: Rowlands, Fenn, Quinn, O'Reilly. Booked: Maybury, Conlon. Goals: Ferguson 6.

N Ireland U-21: Carroll, Griffin, McGlinchey, Burns, Waterman, Whitley, Johnson, Feeney (Healy 68), Coote, McVeigh (Graham 68), Elliott (Clarke 77). Subs Not Used: Wells, Lyttle, Kirk, Morgan. Sent Off: Johnson (72). Booked: Burns.

Referee: K Clark (Paisley).