Givens hails fine Irish performance

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 manager Don Givens paid tribute to his young guns after their victory over Greece in a UEFA Championships qualifier in Athens last night.

Paul McShane gave Ireland the start they were looking for when he found the net with a thumping header after just 10 minutes.

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan wrapped up a precious victory in the 52nd minute when he latched on to a Flood lay-off and to beat Sifakis with a beautifully struck effort from 25 yards.

Givens was thrilled with the application and maturity of the performance of his youngsters to leave themselves with a great chance of reaching the final tournament next year.

He said: “They did exactly as we wanted them to do. Needing to not lose meant we approached the game looking to be very solid and counter-attack.

“They did it to the letter of the law. It was disciplined and every time they got the chance to have a go they did.

“We could have scored two or three more.

“Everybody was very solid. Colin Doyle didn’t have much to do in goal but he looked very imposing. They all did their jobs.

“Willo Flood caused chaos down the right and looked very sharp. Stephen Ward was magnificent up front on his own and Paul McShane was brilliant at the back.

“Paul is a great defender. He wants to head that ball and put his body in where it hurts. He’s terrific.”

Ireland will meet Belgium in the second game in the group in Galway‘s Terryland Park on September 1 with a victory required to send them through to the play-offs for a place in the finals in Holland.

Givens wants the Galway public to come out in force to support his young guns as they bid to make history.

He said: “We still have to beat Belgium because if we drew that game then the Belgians would know they only have to beat Greece by more than two to go through.

“Belgium are the number one seed so they’re still the favourites. We want a big crowd at Terryland Park to help us clinch it.

“This result was right up there with all the best results we’ve achieved over the years. We were so much in control of the game and played some terrific possession football.”

GREECE: Sifakis; Gkalitsios (Kotitsas, 71), Pagonis (Aravidis, 53), Torosidis, Papadoulos, Tziolis, Pliagkas, Arampatzis (Saganas, 25), Petropoulos, Leontiou, Kapetanos.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Doyle (Birmingham); Foley (Luton Town), Painter (Birmingham), Bruce (Ipswich), McShane (West Bromwich Albion), Keegan (Drogheda Utd), Deery (Derry City), Whelan (Sheffield Wed), Flood (Cardiff City), Ward (Bohemians) (Keogh, Scunthorpe, 71), Timlin (Fulham).