Ireland open season on a winning note

Republic of Ireland U-19 2 Norway U-19 0

Ireland's superiority was never really tested and with better finishing the margin of victory could have been far better as Ireland rarely looked threatened.

Bohemians striker Ward went close to a debut goal on the stroke of half time when a poor kick out by Norway goalkeeper Austbo allowed him a clear run on goal, but the 18-year-old delayed for too long and allowed the Norwegian defence to regroup and clear the danger.

But 13 minutes into the second half, Ireland took the deserved lead when Tyrell curled a free kick beautifully over the wall and past the stranded Austbo from 18 yards.

Three minutes later, it could have been 2-0 when a brilliant piece of skill by Ward on the right wing created enough space for him to cross to Freyne, who with just the goalkeeper to beat blasted it over the bar.

But in the 75th minute, Freyne son of Cork legend Patsy - grabbed Ireland's second when he slotted the ball home after David Cassidy's initial shot was saved.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Doyle (Birmingham City); Flynn (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Deans (Derby County), Tyrell (Leeds United), Fullerton (Livingstone); Yazdani (Coventry City), Dawson (Leicester City), O'Connor (Wolverhampton Wanderers), O'Brien (Newcastle United); Mulligan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ward (Bohemians).

Subs: Freyne (Nottingham Forest) for Yazdani, Russell (Galway United) for O'Brien (both half time), Cassidy (Derby County) for Mulligan, O'Leary (Luton Town) for O'Connor (both 64 mins), Quigley (Millwall) for Ward (78 mins).