Poles lead U21s at half-time

HT: Poland 1 Rep of Ireland 0

GKS Katowice striker Pawel Brozek has given Poland a 1-0 half time lead against the Republic of Ireland U21s in Grudziadz this afternoon.

Brozek fired a left-footed drive past Irish goalkeeper Wayne Henderson, having been released by Antoni Lukasiewicz in the 21st minute.

Polish skipper Lukasiewicz had to be alert on 33 minutes when Sean Thornton’s scrambled effort had to be cleared off the line.

Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott had Ireland’s best chance of the half with six minutes remaining, but his 15-yard shot was well saved by Radoslaw Cierzniak, with Willo Flood also in attendance.

Longford Town player Sean Dillon has come on to make his U21 debut.

Poland: Cierzniak; Wojtkowiak, Kucharski, Lukasiewicz, Dudka; Strak; Szalachowski, Zganiacz, Piotr Brozek; Pawel Brozek, Gregorek.

Republic of Ireland: Henderson (Aston Villa); Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur), Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), McCarthy (Manchester City), Capper (Scarborough); Potter (Liverpool), Whelan (Manchester City), Thornton (Sunderland); Flood (Manchester City), Elliott (Manchester City), Doyle (Cork City).

Sub: Dillon (Longford Town) for Capper (19 mins)

Referee: Zdzislaw Bakaluk (Poland)