EURO U21 QUALIFYING Portugal 2 Republic of Ireland 2:A brace from Owen Garvan helped the Republic of Ireland secure a point against Portugal in the concluding UEFA Under-21 Championship tie in Madeira tonight.
The experienced Portugal team ended the first half two goals to the good after Vaz Te and Manuel Fernandes had put the host nation in front.
However, Don Givens team fought back and four minutes after the restart Sean Scannell broke down the left and pulled the ball back for Owen Garvan to shoot home from 12 yards.
Hamilton midfielder James McCarthy, making his debut at this level, had a couple of chances to level the game but failed on both occasions.
In the 65th Sean Scannell played provider once again and his through ball set up Garvan who turned brilliantly before shooting home from 15 yards.
Portugal:Rui Patricio (Ricardo Batista, 28 mins.), Nuno Andre Coelho, Pele, Goncalo Brandao (Helder Barbosa, 60 mins), Paulo Machado, Vieirinha, Manuel Fernandes (Cap), Miguel Veloso, Vasco Fernandes (Saleiro, 72 mins), Manuel Da Costa, Vaz Te
Republic of Ireland:Shane Redmond, Seamus Coleman, Michael Liddle, Michael Spillane, Eddie Nolan, Jimmy Ryan (Stephen Gleeson h/t), Alan Judge (Simon Madden, 79 mins), James McCarthy, Owen Garvan, Padraig Amond (Karl Moore h/t), Sean Scannell
Referee:Jerome Efong Nzolo (Belgium).
