Dismissed Conlon saves Irish

Irish striker Barry Conlon sampled the delights and frustrations of international football, as Ireland gave themselves a fighting chance of at least making the 3rd/4th place play-off after they deservedly beat Switzerland in Saturday afternoon's second match at the UEFA under-18 championships in Fjolnisvollur, Iceland.

Conlon scored the only goal - his seventh in as many games - but was then sent-off two minutes from time for a second bookable offence.

Such a transgression normally carries an automatic two-match ban, thus meaning Conlon is out of the tournament.

The Carrickmacross-born player was most unlucky to receive his first yellow card in the 78th minute when he appeared to cleanly win a header with Swiss goalkeeper Thierry Bally.

But frustration then got the better of him in the 88th minute when, by his own admission, he reacted stupidly to a free-kick being given against him by kicking the ball away, and Yugoslavian referee Miloslav Radoman promptly produced another yellow card, quickly followed by the red one.

It was a cruel blow to Conlon who had run his heart out in a generally much improved Irish display, though one booking would still have meant his missing today's match with Israel as he already carried a card into Saturday's game.

Ireland played with skill and confidence from the start and the goal, when it came in the 29th minute, bore testimony to this team's latent ability.

Conlon flicked on goalkeeper Paul Whelan's kick-out to Barry Quinn and peeled off to make a run to the back post. Quinn then picked him out superbly with a precise cross and Conlon scored with a well-struck, sidefooted volley.

In a match of precious little goalmouth incident Ireland did have a let off on 78 minutes when Damien Lynch got back well to clear off the line from a Rainer Bieli shot.

Conlon then might have had a second goal a minute before his dismissal when he collected Lynch's long clearance, cleverly cut inside his marker only to shoot a foot over the bar from about 12 yards.

Irish team manager Brian Kerr's problems don't end with Conlon's absence as he now prepares his depleted squad for today's third game with Israel in Kopavogur. Also suspended from the game is central defender David Whittle who collected a second booking on Saturday while Damien Duff is struggling badly with an ankle injury.

That leaves Kerr with only 13 fit and eligible players for today's game and could possibly mean reserve goalkeeper, James Gallagher, being used as an outfield player at some stage.

Republic Of Ireland: Whelan (unattached); Lynch (Leeds United), Dunne (Everton), Whittle (QPR), Dillon (Rotherham United); Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Quinn (Coventry City), McPhail (Leeds United); Boylan (West Ham United), Conlon (unattached), McKeever (Sheffield Wednesday). Subs: Heary for Duff (51 mins), Sadlier for Boylan (61 mins), Roche for McPhail (82 mins). Switzerland: Bally; Rezzonico, Vanetta, Page, Gallo; Eugster, Villiot, Friedli, Kaiser; Mendi, Bieli. Sub: Mellunovic for Kaiser (79 mins). Referee: M Radoman (Yugoslavia).