Nine-man Ireland tame Italy in own Casarano backyard

EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING: Italy 2 Rep of Ireland 4THE REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-21s showed there's life after Robbie Brady last night as they serrated their Uefa qualifying group victors Italy in their own backyard.

And they maanged victory in Casarano despite finishing with nine men and surviving two floodlight failure stoppages.

An Irish side featuring six players making their first starts at this level inflicted the only defeat in eight on Italy. They hit the front midway into the first half through one of their debutants. When Samir Carruthers slipped Séan Murray into space on the right, the angle appeared tight but the Watford winger chipped Mattia Perin from the edge of the box.

Back came the Azzurri with a 35th-minute equaliser when a corner from AC Milan winger Stephan El Shaarawy was headed home by skipper Luca Caldirola.

Sixty seconds later, Derrick Williams was sent off for hauling down Ciro Immobile in the box yet Aaron McCarey saved the spot-kick from the Genoa striker.

Down to 10 men, Ireland upped the ante after the break in search of a final flourish to the campaign.

Two goals in a minute gave them the momentum.

Conor Henderson set up Aaron Doran in the 58th minute to race clear and finish, before the Arsenal midfielder himself netted a superb long-range strike for 3-1.

Floodlight failure caused a 25 minute delay but Doran extended the lead eight minutes from time. He skinned his marker Masi on the left and lofted the ball into the net.

The drama continued in stoppage time as Anthony Forde followed Williams off the pitch for two swift bookings, before El Shaarawy pocketed a consolation.

ITALY: Perin; Faraoni, Masi, Rossi, Crescenzi; Sala, Caldirola, Marrone; Immobile, Gabbiadini, El Shaarawy. Subs: Viviani for Sala (h/t) De Luca for Immobile (58 mins), Laribi for Marrone (76 mins).

REP OF IRELAND:McCarey (Wolves; Doherty (Wolves), Egan (Sunderland), Williams (Aston Villa), White (Leeds United); Carruthers (Aston Villa), Henderson (Arsenal), O'Kane (Bournemouth); Murray (Watford), Doran (Inverness), Forde (Wolves).

Referee: Ivan Kruliak (Svk).