Republic of Ireland  2 - 0  San Marino
Ross Carrig
David Lacey
The Irish Regions Cup team produced a dominant display today in Tolka Park to earn three points and set up a group decider when they face France in Tallght Stadium on Wednesday at 2.30pm. The Irish goals came early in the match with Ross Carrig and David Lacey scoring inside the first 8 minutes. The Irish team enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and were unlucky not to add a few more goals to their final tally.
The first goal for the Irish came after only three minutes as they immediately laid siege to the San Marino goal. The early pressure produced a corner which led to a drilled cross by Daniel Loughran which was turned into the net expertly by Ross Carrig. The Irish pressure never relented and a second goal was inevitable when Ray Whelehan's through ball found David Lacey and the striker made no mistake as he finished it to the net.
Good chances followed for Lacey and Whelehan but the San Marino side recovered from their early nerves and kept the dominant Irish at bay. Danny Loughran and Ray Whelehan proved a constant threat to the San Marino defence throughout and Lacey was unlucky not to come away with more than one goal to his name.
A 1-1 draw between France and Italy in the group's other game means that the Irish side need to beat the French in Wednesday's match in Tallaght to advance to the next round.
Republic of Ireland: Bernard O'Connell, Ian Cherry, Ross Carrig, James Walsh(C), Laurence Dunne, Daniel Loughran, Ray Whelehan, David Lacey (Peter Sherlock 75'), Conor Dillon, Chris Barbour (Neil O'Brien 65'), Shane Hughes (Finbarr Kavanagh 60')
Substitutes: Adrian Walsh (GK), Glen Keddy, Ian Calaghan, Ken Hoey
San Marino: Mattia Manzaroli, Giacomo Benedettini, Nicola Chiaruzzi, Enrico Cibelli, Pier Luigi Fellici, Ivano Greco, Manuel Molinari (Daniella Conti), Andrea Moroni (Marco Fantini 83'), Giacomo Pagnoni, Marco Rosti, Davide Vagnetti (Alessandro Baldiserra 77')
Substitutes: Gobbi Eros (GK), Manuel Francesconi, Marco Rattini, Stefano Semprini.
