'Inner confidence' pleases Givens

Don Givens praised his team’s “inner confidence” after the Republic of Ireland Under-21s came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Poland and extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott pulled a goal back before Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald struck a last-minute equaliser to give the Irish a deserved draw.

“This group have come through together, they have been to the World Cup and done well, and they have an inner confidence that they are difficult to beat and they proved it again today,” said coach Givens.

“It is a great quality to have, although you need technical ability too.

“I felt we created three times as many chances as them and we were the away team so I am happy. We missed a few chances and got caught but that’s part of the learning curve for the boys.

“At half-time I told them to change nothing and just keep going. Unfortunately we let another goal in but even at 2-0 I never felt we would lose the match. I felt we’d get it back because we were playing well.

“I thought it was a good game and I was happy with my team’s performance because we created a lot of chances and were happy in the end not to lose the game.

“We have had a good series of games, that is ten now without defeat and we were very keen to continue the run. To come to Poland who are a good team and not lose, I am quite happy tonight.”

Ireland fell behind after 21 minutes when Pawel Brozek held off Paddy McCarthy - who was making his debut – before slotting the ball through Wayne Henderson’s legs at the near post.

Brozek’s twin brother Piotr then doubled Poland’s lead on 53 minutes after playing a clever one-two.

Elliott – who scored a hat-trick in Ireland’s 5-1 win when these sides met in Gdansk last August – pulled a goal back 10 minutes later with a neat finish, before Fitzgerald popped up to crash home a loose ball following a free-kick.