Buoyant Given aims for finals

Don Givens hopes his Republic of Ireland Under-21 side can take their impressive recent run of form into the next stage of the UEFA European Championships qualifiers.

Givens saw his side comfortably progress through the preliminary round with a 5-1 aggregate win over Azerbaijan, following a 3-0 victory at Kilkenny’s Buckley Park tonight.

Goals by Cork City’s Roy O’Donovan, Luton Town’s Kevin Foley and Scunthorpe’s Andy Keogh sealed the win on a rain-sodden surface.

Ireland have not lost in six games at this level and Givens is looking to see that form continue in the group phase when his team meet Belgium and Greece in September.

He said: “It was a good solid performance. The lads were very professional and passed the ball around well. I thought we’d score more goals towards the end but we did the job.

“It was just what we asked of them. We knew the job had to be done and there was some very good stuff from us.

“Paul Keegan of Drogheda United was very good in midfield but this is a very solid group and there were no bad performances. Paul is very composed on the ball and screens the back four well.

“Begium and Greece will certainly be a step up in quality so we have a lot to do but hopefully we’ll have some players back who were missing for this one.

“We’ve got the Belgians at home first on September 3 and if we could win that one it would give us a real chance in the group. We are due to play the Greeks two days later.

“The confidence is good and the lads are hungry to perform. If we can keep at this level by creating chances up front and keeping it tight at the back I think qualification will come by itself.

“We’re not obsessed by qualification but we’re going to give it our best shot.”