Outstanding achievement by Under-16s

The Football Association of Ireland basked in glory as Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland under-16s delivered a first ever major international trophy when beating Italy in the final of the UEFA Youths' Championship at McDiarmid Park, Perth, Scotland, last night.

A stunning free-kick from Keith Foy and the winner from David McMahon in the second half secured the much-treasured trophy at the final hurdle.

However, the success was drawn from a team of teenagers whose talent and discipline took this tournament by storm.

The meticulous preparation, professionalism and tactical cuteness of manager Brian Kerr and his assistant, Noel O'Reilly, cannot be overstated.

From a squad not regarded as one of exceptional talent collectively, Kerr built a team that grew in stature as the tournament progressed.

A defence, argued to be a weak link in the side pre-tournament, hardly put a foot wrong and was, with goalkeeper Joseph Murphy solid behind them, the foundation of this success.

There was genuine disappointment from the team that they conceded their only goal of the six-match competition in the final.

The Italians survived an early Irish flurry to generally enjoy the better of things for much of the first half.

Maurizio Lanzaro gave Murphy few problems with a shot on three minutes before the Italians wasted the first real chance of the game a minute later.

Impressive striker Gaetano D'Agostino played a sublime ball in behind the Irish defence to put Simonluca Agazzone in on goal but he hurried his shot which was sliced well wide as the Irish defence breathed a sigh of relief.

The pressure was maintained and Jim Goodwin had to clear a goal-bound shot from Massimo Donati two minute later.

Graham Barrett headed a John Thompson free-kick over the bar and the Italian goalkeeper, Andrea Posocco, almost made a mess of a Brendan McGill cross to provide some respite for Ireland who were taking their time to settle.

However, inspirational captain Shaun Byrne lifted the spirit of the side when forcing a good diving save from Posocco with a well-struck, 25-yard drive in the 25th minute.

But Murphy was soon back in action at the other end when parrying well from a tremendous shot from the otherwise quiet dangerman Samuele Dalla Bona two minutes later.

Not playing well at all, Ireland were given the concession of a free-kick from nothing which brought their lead goal on 35 minutes.

A cross from Foy resulted in McGill being impeded by Riccardo Pagliuchi some 19 yards from goal and a much practised set-piece from the training ground worked a treat.

McMahon stood on the end of the Italian wall (and cheekily made a gap by leaning in on the Italians); Graham Barrett and skipper Shaun Byrne stood over the ball and Foy planted a stunning left foot drive directly into the top right hand corner of Posocco's net for a wonderful goal.

It lifted the Irish performance and they finished the half on top with Byrne blazing over the top from 20 yards a minute before the break.

Italy roused themselves for the second half, making one change, and they played some technically brilliant football to draw level with a well-worked goal in the 52nd minute.

Simone Pelanti combined with Pagliuchi to get into the box for the return and skillfully side-foot the ball past Murphy. It was the first and only goal Ireland were to concede in the tournament.

The Irish response was magnificent as they struck for the winning goal five minutes later. Like the Italian score, it was built up the left side with Barrett and Andrew Reid stretching the defence for the latter to cross.

McMahon, given a torrid time throughout the game by his marker Maurizio Lanzaro, lost him for a moment and was there in the right place at the right time to tap the ball home from just yards out.

Ireland were buzzing for the first time in the match and McGill almost ended a flowing Irish move as his shot, after Foy's mesmerising run and cross, was deflected out for a corner three minutes later.

A last minute scare, when Massimo Donati almost capitalised on a slip by Jim Goodwin, was survived as Brian Kerr's under-16s delighted the whole tournament itself by being crowned champions of Europe.

Republic Of Ireland: Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Thompson (Home Farm), O'Shea (Waterford Bohemians), Goodwin (Celtic), Foy (Nottingham Forest); Barrett (Arsenal), S Byrne (West Ham United), Miller (Celtic); McGill (Rivervalley Rangers), McMahon (Newcastle United), Reid (Nottingham Forest).

Italy: Posocco (AC Milan); Zaccardo (Bolgna), Lazzari (Torino), Lanzaro (AS Roma), Pagliuchi (Torino); Pelanti (Fiorentina), Agazzone (AC Milan), Dalla Bona (Atalanta), Donati (Atalanta); D'Agostino (AS Roma), Papa (Juventus). Subs: Tacchini (Brescia) for Zaccardo (half-time), Sinigaglia (Inter Milan) for Papa (62 mins), Sculli (Juventus) for Pelanti (72 mins).

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).