Costly lapses let Swiss have the last laugh

Ireland U21 2

Don Givens’s side, which had begun the campaign with a 2-0 defeat in Russia, had got off to a flying start with two goals inside the first eight minutes. But a defensive mix-up just before half-time led to a goal which gave the Swiss hope, and two late strikes handed the visitors what had earlier seemed an extremely unlikely victory.

The game was just two minutes old when Sunderland winger Tommy Butler started a bright, crisp move with a pass down the right flank to Wes Houlihan. The Shelbourne man sent in a low cross which reached the back post where Nottingham Forest’s Andy Reid slid in to fire home.