Bring on the Spanish, says buoyant Irish boss Doolin

IRELAND Under-19 manager Paul Doolin believes there’s no reason why his side should fear Spain after they earned the point required last night from host nation Romania to set up a European Championship semi-final meeting with the aristocrats of World football on Friday.

With Greece and opponents Romania going into last night’s final round of Group A still capable of dislodging the Irish for the second qualifying place, Ireland need a gutsy display and Doolin’s dynamos delivered.

It was certainly far from flamboyant in the humdrum of the Berceni Stadium close to Bucharest, yet the Irish continued to show a maturity beyond their teen years by finishing out the tie in a professional manner.