U21 Performance

**blobbyblob** · 03/09/2004, 10:22 PM

Exceptional performance by McGeady tonight for the U21s. He shouldnt have too much trouble making the transition to Senior level judging by this perfomance. He turned the Cyriots inside out and made use of the ball everytime. His service was top notch and created a few chances for himself. Was a class apart. Willo Flood, Glenn Whelan, Paddy McCarthy and Kevin Doyle were well worth a mention also.

Buckley Park was immaculate. Well done to all at City.

**thejollyrodger** · 04/09/2004, 8:57 AM

Don Givens sees his side stretch their unbeaten run to 13 games.
Friday, September 03 2004 10:45

The Republic of Ireland under-21 side showed stretched their unbeaten run to 13 games and got their European Championship qualifying campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-0 victory over Cyprus.

Don Givens side controlled affairs from start to finish but had to endure a frustrating first half-hour as they were unable to breach the Cypriot defence.

Stephen Elliott had the first real chance of the game after just 20 seconds when his rasping effort was saved by Cypriot goalkeeper Demetris Stylianou. Cyprus were on the back-foot and only some last-ditch defending prevented Ireland from breaking the deadlock.

A neat passing move involving Elliott and Glen Whelan on the 33rd minute saw Celtic's Aidan McGeady taking a 20-yard pot-shot, but his effort cleared the crossbar before Ireland finally made their dominance count a minute later.

Whelan, making his under-21 debut, was played in by a neat ball from Elliott and blasted the ball into the roof of the Cypriot net from 15 yards to given Given's side a well deserved lead.

Elliott was at the heart of the action on 49 minutes when Ireland doubled their lead. His constant trickery was a thorn in the side of Cyprus' defence and when he was hacked down just outside the area Whelan floated in a teasing ball that John Fitzgerald headed home.

Ireland were cruising by this stage and Given's men wrapped things up when Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter crossed for Kevin Doyle to tap home on the 78th minute.

Filed by Rob Wright