Sean McCaffreys Republic of Ireland U-19s have missed out on the chance of a place in the European Championship Finals in Switzerland in July despite winning their final two group games in the second phase of qualifying.
Today the Irish youngsters beat Norway 3-0 in their final match. A fourth minute own goal gave them the lead, while Gary Mulligan (24 minutes) and Paul Murphy (78) were also on target.
But the Republic needed a little favour and it never came as host nation Belgium beat Serbia and Montenegro 1-0 to end up with three wins from their three games. Belgium now go through to the Finals this summer.
Ireland had beaten Serbia and Montenegro 3-1 on Friday, but had lost their opening game 1-0 to Belgium last Wednesday night.
Ireland 3 Norway 0
Despite an emphatic 3-0 victory over Norway, Irelands under-19s have bowed out of the European Championships.
Belgium got the win they needed over Serbia & Montenegro to knock out the Irish youngsters.
Gary Mulligan fired Ireland ahead after four minutes and made it 2-0 twenty minutes later.
Paul Murphy completed the win with a goal twelve minutes from time.
Ireland : Murphy, McStay, Painter, Deans, J O Brien, Flood, Cregg, Dawson, Yeates, Quigley (Murphy 65), Mulligan (Foley 46). |
