Northern Ireland 0 Rep of Ireland 1:Pat Fenlon's Republic of Ireland under-23s must avoid defeat against Belgium to progress to the final of the International Challenge Trophy after a last gasp winner against Northern Ireland tonight.
The homeside were marginally the better side at Mourneview Park in Lurgan, but the tie was settled when Shamrock Rovers' Stephen Rice dived to head home captain Paul Keegan's free-kick from the right in the 91st minute.
Having beaten Slovakia 2-0 in November Fenlon's charges must now draw with or beat Belgium in the autumn to be sure of a facing the winner of Group A, which consists of England, Italy, Wales and Finland.
Northern Ireland:Nelson (Dungannon Swifts); Holland (Cliftonville), Watson (Ballymena United), Lindsay (Linfield), McClean (Ballymena United); Mulgrew (Linfield), Ward (Glentoran), Clarke (Newry Town), Scullion (Glentoran); Thompson (Linfield), Stewart (Linfield).
Subs:Garrett (Newry City) for Scullion (57 mins.), McAllister (Dungannon Swifts) for Stewart (73 mins.).
Republic of Ireland:Murphy (Shamrock Rovers); O'Brien (Shamrock Rovers), Guthrie (Cobh Ramblers), Kenna (UCD), Powell (Bohemians); Kelly (Bohemians), Keegan (Drogheda United), Rice (Shamrock Rovers), Brennan (Bohemians); Quigley (St. Patrick's Athletic), Mooney (Cork City).
Subs: Behan (Cork City) for Kelly (h/t), Rowe (Bray Wanderers) for Quigley (65 mins.), Murphy (Cork City) for Kenna (78 mins.)
Referee:Adrian McCourt (Dungannon).