Ireland 2 Moldova 0

Brian Kerr's u18 team bounced back from defeat by the Czech Republic to earn a creditable 2-0 win over Moldova in the European Championships qualifying mini-tournament yesterday.

But their efforts were in vain, as the Czechs beat Bulgaria by a similar score, guaranteeing their qualification.

In all likelihood, the Czechs will go on to beat Moldova in their final match - but even if they lose and finish level on points with Ireland, the hosts will still qualify by virtue of having beaten Ireland in their head-to-head.

Ireland attacked right from the start yesterday and got their reward within ten minutes. Nottingham Forest pair Andy Reid and Brian Cash linked up for the latter to score with an angled drive which beat 'keeper Vasilache and crossed the line despite the efforts of defender Verbetchi.

With Leeds midfielder Alan Cawley controlling the pace of the game, Ireland retained possession and created a number of chances to double their lead, before the second goal materialised approaching half time.

Newcastle's Stephen Brennan burst forward before playing in Andy Reid. Reid skipped past Vasilache, who had no option but to drag the Forest winger down. Reid dusted himself off and exacted revenge by slotting home the spot kick.

Reid and Cawley went close with long-range shots after the break, but the Moldovans did carve out a couple of decent chances - Gheorghiev shooting wide of an open goal and Patula going close with a header.

But Ireland finished as they had started, Sunderland's Clifford Byrne blazing just over and Reid drawing a good save from Vasilache.

Ireland: Barry Roche (Nottingham Forest), Stephen Brennan(Newcastle), Clifford Byrne (Sunderland), Paul Tierney (Manchester United), Danny Murphy (QPR), David Van Zanten (Celtic), Joe Gamble (Reading), Alan Cawley (Leeds), Brian Cash (Nottm Forest), Niall McNamara (Nottm Forest), Andy Reid (Nottm Forest)
Subs: Sean Thornton (Tranmere) for Van Zanten 60, Ger Robinson (Middlesbrough) for McNamara 80, Declan Field (Celtic) for Cash 87
Goals: Cash 10, Reid pen. 35

Moldova: Vasilache, Tosan, Verbetchi, Cucoveri, Postu, Harcenco, Gheorghiev, Taranu, Covalciuc, Andronic, Patula
Subs: Doros for Patula 54, Gutu for Gheorghiev 63