Cork C of I played stoutly against Grunwald of Poland in their opening match in the European Cup Winners' Cup at Terrassa (Spain) yesterday but an extra edge in pace earned a 2-0 win for the Polish side. Pawel Jakubak scored from a short corner in the 10th minute and although the Irish representatives remained in contention for most of the game, Tomasz Dutkiewicz sealed the issue with an open-play goal in the closing stages.

Before the tougher matches to come in the European Youth Trophy tournament in Sicily over the weekend, the Irish under-16s and under-18s added victories over Italy yesterday to Thursday's defeats of Wales.

In hot Mediterranean sunshine in Catania, the under-18s met torrid resistance from the home team before winning 2-1. Indeed, the Italians took an early lead and it was only on the stroke of half-time that Ian Hamilton equalised from a drag flick. Furthermore, though Ireland were the better team, it was not until the last minute that Brian Liggett scored the decisive goal.

Ian Hosford, alert between the posts, and John Jermyn, in orchestrating attacks, were two of the most influential figures. Today, though, comes the first real test, against Holland.

The under-16s outplayed their Italian contemporaries 5-0, having led 3-0 at half-time. Mark Gleghorne added two more goals to his international tally, with Phelie Maguire, Ian Lewers (revelling in midfield) and Tim Cockram also on the target.

Ireland cannot look forward too eagerly to Monday's match against Germany.

The Irish team-managers, Dougie Miller and Dave Acheson, were feeling more relaxed after getting their squads accommodated in the university campus after they had been billeted in caravans for their first night in busy Catania.