COMFORTABLE WIN WILL DAH FOR STEPHEN

Rep of Ireland Luxembourg

3 0 STEPHEN KENNY was delighted with the first match of his Under-21s tenure as Ireland crushed Luxembourg at Tallaght Stadium in their opening Euro 2021 qualifier yesterday.

Adam Idah marked his debut at this level with a brace either side of Neil Farrugia’s tidy finish.

The biggest crowd since 1995 for an Under-21 match, 4,772, turned up to see Kenny begin his international managerial career.

“When we led 2-0 at halftime, we spoke about winning by five goals,” said Kenny, below.

“It was an excellent all-round performance although, with Italy, Sweden, Iceland and Armenia also in the group, we will have sterner tests ahead.

“I really enjoyed the week and I’d love to have another match next week. That’s the way of international football because we’re not due to play again until the Toulon Tournament in June.

Then the qualifiers restart in September.”

Victory yesterday was essential for Ireland to have any chance of reaching a first-ever major Under-21 tournament.

They should have been ahead after only seven minutes when Idah scampered clear only to ripple his shot into the side-netting.

Aside from

Kenan Avdusinovic’s tame shot, which was easily saved by Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher in the Ireland goal, the home side were never troubled.

Instead, Ireland soared ahead on 34 minutes.

Neil Farrugia’s cornerkick was perfect for Idah to attack at the near post and steer his header into the top corner.

It was only four minutes later before the visitors were dissected again.

Man of the match

Connor Ronan did the spadework by advancing at pace and his slide-rule pass was finished by Farrugia’s deft dink beyond the stranded goalkeeper.

Ireland dominance continued after the break and a similar break by Ronan led to the third on 68 minutes. Idah was the recipient this time, haring clear from the break and burying his low shot beneath Tom Ottele for the third.

“We had worked a lot on the training ground during the week about getting balls into the box,” said

Cork man Idah.

“I was a bit annoyed to miss the early chance but I knew more would come.

“To score twice on my Under-21 debut is great – but the team performance was the main thing.”

Kenny said of Idah: “Adam has only turned 18 and we don’t know yet how far he can go in the game.”