Ireland U17s beat England to claim Nordic Cup
In a tight game, Ireland took control early on when Tom Lyons volleyed the Irish ahead after connecting superbly with a cross from Karl Byrne.
Defending magnificently, things were to get better for the Irish.
In the final minute, the youngsters made it 2-0 when Killian Sheridan slammed home a second goal for Ireland after brilliantly skipping away from the England defence.
Manager Sean McCaffrey said: “It is a great achievement for everyone. I think we had the tactical edge on England in what was a very tight game.”
McCaffrey’s side caused a massive upset to claim a place in the final with a 3-1 victory over tournament favourites Denmark on Friday.
Prior to that, they defeated Iceland and Norway, 2-0 and 3-2 respectively.
The performance was all the more remarkable as three Glasgow Celtic players, Paul Skinner, Paul Cahillane and Graham Carey, were all withdrawn from the squad on the eve of the trip.
England coach Kenny Swain was impressed by the Irish performance and admits his side will learn from the experience.
“These boys did ever so well to reach the final, which we are all very pleased about.
“At this level, and especially this tournament, it is all about making sure the players are on the right track in their development.
“Of course we would have liked to have won today but it wasn’t to be.
“It was important to us that everyone played so that they could learn from their time here in Iceland and carry those lessons into the important season ahead.”
: Republic of Ireland: Redmond; Fitzgerald, Donoghue, Breen, Byrne, Duggan, Daly, McDermott, Lawless, Treacy, Lyons.
: Dixon for Byrne (41 mins), Sheridan for McDermott (70 mins), Day for Lyons, (80 mins), O’Toole for Lawless (80 mins).
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