Irish amateurs through to Cup finals

Regions Cup Group 3 qualifying tournament:

Republic of Ireland 2 Semberija-Majevica-Bljeljina (Bosnia) 2

An injury-time penalty from Ballymun defender Keith Bruen earned the Republic of Ireland amateurs a 2-2 draw against their Bosnian hosts this afternoon and a place in next year's Regions Cup finals.

Gerry Smith's side topped Group 3 following Bruen's late equaliser, having led 1-0 at the break.

Wayside Celtic front man John O'Neill put them in front on 45 minutes, but with Semberija replying with 15 minutes remaining, and adding a surprise second on 87 minutes, the Irish were up against it.

Earlier wins over San Marino (4-0) and the highly-rated English representatives Mid Chesire (4-2) gave Smith's charges the necessary will to draw level.

Substitute Anthony Doyle's tumble in the Bosnian penalty earned Bruen his spot kick and the 33-year-old made no mistake, putting the Irish through to next summer's finals in Germany.

Ireland: Philip Casey (CYM) Stephen Barry (Cherry Orchard FC), Keith Bruen (Ballymun Utd), James Walsh (St Michael’s FC), Ian Cherry (Belgrove FC), Paul Kane (Ballymun Utd), Ray Whelehan (Tolka Rovers), Barry Flynn (Portmarnock FC), Sean O’Connor(Crumlin Utd), Ian Callaghan (Wayside Celtic), John O’Neill (Wayside Celtic).

Subs used: Anthony Doyle for Paul Kane (ht), Wayne Callaghan (Wayside Celtic) for John O’Neill (75 mins).