Ireland 2 South Africa 1

The Republic of Ireland wrapped up the US Nike Cup with a fortunate win against South Africa at the Giants Stadium, New York last night. Ireland recovered from going a goal down in the searing heat to turn the tie and finally win 2-1.

Mick McCarthy will be counting his lucky stars that his team finally registered a win after two draws in the competition. Their chances of winning the title were gone after the USA completely outclassed Mexico in the opening game of the day to finish top of the table.

Ireland chased South African shadows for the first 20 minutes of the game and will count themselves fortunate that they were only trailing by one goal. South Africa hacked the Irish midfield apart and took the lead after 14 minutes thanks to some intelligent build-up play from Manchester United's Quinton Fortune.

Fortune picked up the ball in midfield and beat three Irish players before releasing Benni McCarthy. McCarthy took one touch before releasing Shaun Bartlett in front of goal and the South African striker gave Shay Given no chance with his shot into the bottom corner.

South Africa could and should have added to their tally and they suffered from their lack of composure in front of goal. The Irish equalised in the 38th minute with a freakish goal from Stephan McPhail.

Ireland won a corner on the right and McPhail's inswinger caught South African goalkeeper Andre Arendse off his line and floated over his head and into the net. The goal was reminiscent of Steve Stuanton's in the same competition in 1992 when the Liverpool defender scored straight from a corner against Portugal at the Foxboro Stadium in Boston.

Ireland played slightly better in the second half and scored the all-important winner in the 68th minute when Niall Quinn wrapped his head around Mark Kennedy's perfect cross to send the ball arrowing past Arendse. Quinn's goal equalled the long-standing Irish goalscoring record of 20 goals held by Frank Stapleton.

Exactly what Ireland got out of competing in the US Cup is a mystery. All of the star players cried off before the tournament and some of the youngsters that were brought will come home confused. McCarthy continuously wrecked their confidence by substituting them when there was no need. The last game illustrated this better than most. McCarthy started the game with Alan Mahon and replaced the Tranmere player after 37 minutes despite him looking lively.

The only major plus point came with the goalscoring form of Dominic Foley. The Watford striker scored against both Mexico and the USA and showed that he has a liking for international football despite his inexperience. He will be a great back-up to Ireland's first pick strikers in the coming months and in the long term his future looks very bright.

Ireland: Shay Given (Newcastle), Stephen Carr (Tottenham), Gary Breen (Coventry), Phil Babb (Liverpool), Terry Phelan (Fulham), Jason McAteer (Blackburn), Stephen McPhail (Leeds), Matt Holland (Ipswich), Alan Mahon (Tranmere), Niall Quinn (Sunderland), Dominic Foley (Watford).
Subs: Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland) for Mahon 37; Mark Kennedy (Man City) for McAteer 44; Robbie Keane (Coventry) for Foley 45; Gary Doherty (Tottenham) for Quinn 74, Barry Quinn (Coventry) for McPhail 86.
Booked: none
Goals: Stephen McPhail 38, Niall Quinn 69.

South Africa: A. Mokoena, J. Lekgetho; A. Rabutla, D. Nguba, Q. Fortune, D. Buckley; S. Bartlett, B. McCarthy.
Subs: D. Sheppard for McCarthy 45; P. Mayofor Ngobe 45.
Booked: none
Goals: Bartlett 14

Referee: R Badilla (Mexico).
Attendance:45,008
Weather: 90 degrees, hazy.