The Republic of Ireland’s Under-19s scored twice in three second-half minutes against Germany in Grevenmacher last night to earn a 2-2 draw in their concluding Uefa Championship qualifier.

Both nations were already assured of progression into the elite phase.

After seeing his crossbar rattled on five minutes by Sebastian Kerk after only five minutes, Ireland goalkeeper Ian Lawlor was helpless to prevent the same player beating him with a shot on 10 minutes. Liverpool’s Samed Yesil doubled that lead in the 28th minute. Substitute Sam Byrne reduced the arrears 13 minutes after the restart and Ryan Coombes was only on the pitch two minutes when he made it 2-2. Lawlor made a string of top saves late on to ensure Ireland advance with an unbeaten record from the campaign.

REP OF IRELAND: Lawlor (Manchester City); Baba (Castlebar Celtic), Smith (Leicester City), Sweeney (Reading), Griffin (Reading); Miele (Newcastle United), Gallagher (Burnley), Sadlier (West Ham Utd); Drennan (Aston Villa), Wilkinson (Millwall), Garmston (WBA). Subs: Byrne (Manchester United) for Garmston (half-time), Coombes (St Patrick's Athletic) for Wilkinson (58 mins), Dillon (Hull City) for Miele (81 mins).