Deans on the mark

Republic of Ireland - 2, Czech Republic - 1 : The Republic of Ireland under-17s avenged last Monday's defeat to their Czech …

Republic of Ireland - 2, Czech Republic - 1: The Republic of Ireland under-17s avenged last Monday's defeat to their Czech counterparts when they won last night's friendly 2-1 at Richmond Park.

Republic of Ireland ... 2

Czech Republic ... 1

The all important winner came in the 68th minute when Christopher Deans fired home from close range after David Cassidy's corner had been flicked on by Gary Mulligan.

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Skipper Paul Murphy had earlier given the home side the ideal start with the opening goal after just nine minutes, heading home from six yards out.

Alan O'Brien and Cassidy both went close to adding to that tally before the Czechs increased the pressure and had their efforts rewarded in first-half stoppage time with the equaliser thanks to a Jan Mokrejs penalty.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Doyle (Birmingham City), O'Mahony (Kingdom Boys), Tyrrell (Leeds Utd), Deans (Stella Maris), Lally (Kilreen Celtic), Colfer (Adamstown), O'Leary (Luton), Murphy (Manchester City) O'Brien (Newcastle Utd), Cassidy (Home Farm), Corr (Leeds Utd). Subs: Mulligan (Wolves) for Corr (25 mins); B Doyle (Cherry Orchard) for Lally (half-time); Cosgrave (Stella Maris) for C Doyle (half-time); Freyne (Notts Forest) for Colfer (half-time). Dawson (Portmarnock) for O'Leary (72 mins).

CZECH REPUBLIC: Crbecek, Kocecky, Neuwirch, Vrabic, Caszpo, Stanek, Latal, Stepan, Papadopulus, Penkava, Mokrejs.Subs: Baradi for Latal (half-time); Kobylik for Penkava (55 mins); Husovsky for Papapodolous (69 mins); Kropik for Stanek (73 mins); Bursa for Stepan (77 mins); Svrcek for Pastzo (86 mins).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).