Clarke and O’Connor shine bright

TWO talented young Co. Wicklow soccer players stood out for the Irish u20 side at the prestigious Toulon International Festival of Football 20 years ago this week.

Bray’s James O’Connor and Newtown’s Clive Clarke were said to have enhanced their credentials with superb showings.

O’Connor was handed his debut in the first game against Columbia which Ireland went on to lose 1-0 but Clarke received rave reviews for his performance.

Their next game was against Ghana and Ireland won 2-0 with O’Connor bagging the star man review.

Don Given’s side needed a draw against Portugal to make it through to the last four but they were beaten 3-0.

Both Clarke and O’Connor were with Stoke City at the time and helped the club to success in the Auto Windscreens Shield competition with a 2-1 win over Bristol City in front of 76,000 in Wembley a month earlier.