Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland under-18 soccer team arrived back in Dublin last night with a notable achievement under their belts. They won the international tournament in Oporto in Portugal thanks to a 2-1 win over Austria on Saturday and a 1-1 draw between France and Portugal on the same day.
Austria took the lead against Ireland after only 10 minutes when Bernhard Artinger scored. But the Irish stuck to their task and in first half injury time Alan Quinn equalised with a shot from 12 yards.
The Irish took the lead midway through the second half when David Freeman beat the Austrian goalkeeper with a curling shot.
Ireland's Under-15 team lost 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 with Spain in a play-off for fifth place in the Montaigu tournament in France. Alan McDermott scored for Ireland, who now play Morocco for 7th place.
Rep Of Ireland: Connaughton (Athlone Tn), Heary (Huddersfield), Frost (Waterford Utd), Gavin (Middlesbrough), O'Brien (Middlesbrough), B Quinn (Coventry), O'Callaghan (Port Vale), A Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Freeman (Nottingham Forest), Reilly (Manchester City), George (Luton Town. Subs: O'Reilly (West Ham) for Connaughton (halftime); Flannery (Sligo Rovers) for O'Brien (57); O'Connor (Stoke City) for Freeman (80).
