Juniors continue winning ways - September 6, 2000 Ireland 1 Lithuania 0 Following their 4-1 win over hosts Finland on Sunday, Ireland's juniors kept up their winning ways in the European Nations Cup with a comprehensive 1-0 victory against Lithuania yesterday. Ireland now only need a draw in their last game, against Poland on Thursday, to win the group and qualify for the finals next year. It was nearly done and dusted yesterday as Poland's game with Finland seemed to be drifting to a 0-0 draw until a Darius Ziaski late strike was deemed to have crossed the line by the assistant referee, giving the Poles a narrow 1-0 win. If Ireland do win their group, the finals of the Nations Cup will more than likely be held in this country - which would be a great boost for the amateur game. Thirty-two countries are entered at this stage and eight will compete in the finals. Yesterday's game was controlled right from the start by the Irish lads as shots reigned in on the Lithuanian goal from all angles. Ireland finally got the deserved breakthrough in the 73rd minute when, after a melee in the box, Ballymun United's David Kane knocked the ball off his shin. It hit the post and rolled over the line. Manager Gerry Smith was delighted with his players. He said: "We dominated the game from start to finish, making lots of chances. But their keeper did very well."
Ireland: Holden (Evergreen), McDonald (Portmarnock), Brannigan (Portmarnock), J. Kane (Cherry Orchard), Madden (Edenmore), Sheehan (Pike Rovers), Bruen (Portmarnock), Flynn (Portmarnock), O'Connor (St. Pauls), D. Kane (Ballymun United), Canavan (St. Kevins) |