Newcastle United's David McMahon was the deserving hero as he scored the goal to put the Republic of Ireland under-16s through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youths Championship with a somewhat fortuitous win over a talented Spain at Forthbank, Stirling, last night.

Spain, who must still rank as the tournament favourites, will meet Greece in Paisley while Ireland's reward for topping Group C is to stay at their plush base at the Dunblane Hydro and play their quarter-final with Denmark here at Forthbank on Sunday afternoon.

"I thought David McMahon up front, Liam Miller in midfield and goalkeeper Joseph Murphy were magnificent."

Ireland began somewhat nervously and manager Kerr's tactic of stopping the talented Spaniards from working their way skilfully through midifeld was struggling to work effectively.

Spain might have had a penalty as early as the fourth minute when John Thompson appeared to trip Raul Bravo but the Belgian referee, Frank De Bleeckere, didn't see anything wrong with the challenge.

"All the players were great. The work they did was magnificent and we beat Spain. I like beating Spain," added Kerr.