Players ‘deserve credit’ for win over Italy

IRISH U19 manager Sean McCaffrey was eager for his victorious players to take the credit after securing their progress to the UEFA Championships elite phase this week.

McCaffrey’s talented teenagers completed their campaign unbeaten in the four-team qualifying group in Cork, beating Northern Ireland, Moldova and, most notably, Italy.

The Italians were crushed 4-1 at Turners Cross on Thursday as Ireland put on an outstanding display of skilful, passing football which belied atrocious weather and pitch conditions.