Ireland close in on championship win - April 25, 2000

Ireland u15 2 Scotland u15 1

Vinny Butler's Republic of Ireland u15 team moved to within a point of a semi-final place in the Ballymena International tournament after a 2-1 victory over Scotland in Larne yesterday.

Ireland earned a penalty win over Wales in their first game and now only need a draw against Belgium in the final group game to reach the semi-final.

Ireland took the lead after 10 minutes through Cherry Orchard's Robbie Shields when he outpaced the Scottish defence to get himself free. Scotland hit back on the stroke of half time but Ireland earned the deserved win when Manchester City's Glen Whelan scored directly from a free-kick mid-way through the second half.

Ireland: D. Kelly (Cherry Orchard), C. Kenna (Lourdes Celtic), D. Burke (Cherry Orchard), G. Whelan (Manchester City), J. Fitzgerald (St. Joseph's), K. Sharkey (Belvedere) P. Keegan (Home Farm), I. McGrane (Cherry Orchard), S. Bradley (Lourdes Celtic), R. Shields  (Cherry Orchard), S. Elliott (Manchester City).