Finland 1 Ireland 4

Ireland got their UEFA Nations Cup campaign off to a dream start, hammering the host nation 4-1 in what, on paper, looked a toughie.

There was no hint of what was to come when the Finns tested Evergreen's Pat Holden after just three minutes.

But Ireland soon settled and grabbed control of the midfield, through Portmarnock duo Keith Bruen and Barry Flynn.

But it took until two minutes before the break for Ireland's dominance to be reflected on the scoresheet. Anto Canavan of St. Kevin's Boys picked up a pass from David Kane on the edge of the Finnish area and lobbed it to the top corner.

Two minutes into the second half, Canavan doubled his tally when he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and lashed it home.

Bruen made it 3-0 on 68 minutes with a forceful header from a Chris Madden free.

Not to be outdone, clubmate Flynn finished the rout, shotting home off the crossbar after a typical burst into the box.

Tahvanainen nabbed a late consolation for the home side, slotting home the rebound after Holden had parried a Piironen strike.

Ireland: Holden (Evergreen), McDonald (Portmarnock), J. Kane (Cherry Orchard), Brannigan (Portmarnock), Madden (Edenmore), Sheehan (Pike Rovers), Flynn (Portmarnock), Bruen (Portmarnock), Ennis (St. Kevins), Canavan (St. Kevins), D. Kane (Ballymun United)
Subs: O'Connor (St. Pauls) for Ennis 46; Ryan (St. Michaels) for D. Kane 68; Mulcahy (Freebooters) for Sheehan 85
Goals: Canavan 43, 47; Bruen 68; Flynn 72