All-Irish celebrations in Group 6

The Republic of Ireland strolled through UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round Group 6 - and with a final-day victory against Italy, ensured the Azzurrini were dramatically knocked out by Northern Ireland in a mini-tournament played largely in pouring rain.

All-Irish encounter
Italy were first off the mark in the group, defeating Moldova 2-0 in Midleton, Momente's 25th-minute goal added to be a second-half Antonio Candreva penalty, though Marco Rossi was sent off for a second booking late on. The all-Ireland fixture followed that evening in Cork, and although Daryl Fordyce cancelled out William Clarke's early opener for the Republic, Anthony Stokes's goal ten minutes from half-time gave the host nation a 2-1 win, even though Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey saved Jonathan Hayes's penalty just before the break.

Home side through
Two days later, Northern Ireland, who hosted the U19 finals last summer and with a side that contained the bulk of the squad that reached the European U17 Championship in 2004, revived their campaign by holding Italy 0-0. That left the door open for the Republic to qualify by defeating Moldova in Cobh, and a 32rd-minute goal from Jonathan Hayes, Ian Morris's penalty early in the second half and a late effort from substitute Diarmuid O'Carroll ensured a 3-0 win.

Italy defeated
But first place was still in Ireland's sights, and they finished on a flourish in Cork with a 4-1 win against Italy. Though the heavy rain made play treacherous at times, Ireland produced some fine football and goals on 19 and 23 minutes from local favourite Clarke put the home team in control, Stokes involved both times. On 40 minutes it was three, Darron Gibson scoring with a deflected chip. Italy pulled one back in the 55th minute when an Edward Nolan back-pass stuck in the mud and Alessio Cerci pounced. Defender Edward Nolan completed the scoring five minutes from time following a corner, and Italy had substitute Massimiliano Marsili sent off for two late bookings.

Fordyce the hero
That meant Italy now had to hope Northern Ireland did not win. With 13 minutes left in Cobh there was hope for the Italians as Moldova led through Petru Racu's 30th-minute free-kick. But then Daryl Fordyce volleyed in Paul McCrink's pass, and the same player scrambled the ball in during added time to send Northern Ireland into next month's Elite round draw.

'We kept believing'
Northern Irish coach Mal Donaghy, who had rallied his players at half-time by telling them the score in Cork, said: "We kept believing, full credit to the players, we can all enjoy the moment and we will now look forward to the next phase."

Looking ahead
Home coach Seán McCaffrey is already doing just that, saying: "We'll try and have the players for six days at a time for a couple of friendlies and then for seven days for a tournament. Then, for the [Elite round] we'll get them in for four days before the start of the second phase. That's what we need to do now to help these lads step up as they deserve to."