Uefa Under-19 Championship, First phase qualifying/Republic of Ireland 4 Italy 1: The Republic of Ireland overcame treacherous conditions on a waterlogged Turner's Cross pitch last night to end their qualifying tournament with a handsome win over Italy and a perfect record from their three matches. They advanced as winners of their group to the second qualifying phase.
Ireland beat Northern Ireland and Moldova earlier this week, and they struck a peak of form despite the daunting conditions of driving rain and a flooded pitch to overwhelm Italy.
Ireland were sure-footed and adept despite the sodden surface. They showed remarkable technical ability, and the pace of their attack caused huge problems for Italy's powerful defenders.
Ireland played superb football and Italy were driven into deep defence as Darron Gibson and Ian Morris controlled central midfield and set up marvellous service for their four front-runners.
John Paul Kelly and Jonathan Hayes ran the flanks diligently, while Billy Clarke was sharp and incisive through the middle. And Anthony Stokes drew the attacking strands together to ensure the Irish attack was a coherent and progressive force.
A goal after 19 minutes was a huge encouragement. Stokes sent Clarke sprinting into the penalty area and he stepped inside a tackle from Rinaldi before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.
Cork-born Clarke gave the home fans further cause to cheer in the 23rd minute. Again the hard-working Stokes set it up with a pass inside for Kelly, whose shot was parried by goalkeeper Consigli. When the ball broke it fell kindly for Clarke to knock it home.
Ireland's first-half dominance was further illustrated with a third goal after 40 minutes. Gibson won a tackle in midfield and drove through to the penalty area. His left-foot chip took a deflection off a defender and dropped behind the goalkeeper and just under the bar.
It was a compelling performance and it was just a pity that a torrential downpour just before the interval left the pitch water-logged for the second half.
The conditions were directly responsible for Italy's goal in the 55th minute. Edward Nolan turned and attempted to play the ball back to goalkeeper Darren Randolph from 25 yards. The ball only travelled a couple of yards before it stuck in the mud and Alessio Cerci reacted quickest to take the ball on and drive it home from 12 yards.
Ireland's overall excellence was undoubted and their superiority scarcely challenged as Italy were clearly second best. Nolan confirmed Ireland's superiority when he drove home the fourth goal in the 85th minute following a right wing corner from Kelly.
Italy's heavy defeat, coupled with a 2-1 for Northern Ireland over Moldova in Cobh, ensured that it was the North who advanced with the Republic to the second phase next May.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph (Charlton Ath); Kelly (Arsenal), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), O'Dea (Celtic), Stapleton (Reading); JP Kelly (Bohemians), Gibson (Manchester United), Morris (Leeds), Hayes (Reading); Stokes (Arsenal), Clarke (Ipswich Town). Subs: O'Brien (Celtic) for Clarke (72 mins), Chambers (Shelbourne) for Hayes (76 mins), O'Carroll (Celtic) for Stokes (86 mins).
ITALY: Consigli (Atalanta Berg); Ungaro (Reggina), Rinaldi (Udinese), Freddi (Roma), Rossi (Parma); Semenzato (Inter Milan), Dessena (Parma), Prevete (Empoli), Candreva (Ternana), Savi (Parma); Momente (Inter Milan). Subs: Cerci (Roma) for Semenzato (30 mins), Lupoli (Arsenal) for Momente (57 mins), Marsili (Roma) for Candreva (63 mins).
Referee: R Malek (Poland).
