The Rep of Ireland Amateur team with 3 Co. Tipperary players  included in the starting line-up secured a 3-0 victory over Bosnia yesterday (Wednesday) with a brace from Wayside Celtic's Ray Whelehan and one from Killester's David Lacey. Elsewhere, Spain clinched a place in the UEFA Regions Cup final but Ireland will go into Saturday's game against Belgium knowing that a win should earn them a bronze medal for third place.

Ireland opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Ray Whelehan finished smartly after good work from Lar Dunne. The Irish were much more confident following their 2-0 defeat against Spain on Monday as Smith juggled his starting side, bringing in Adrian Walsh (Carrick United), Paul Breen (St. Michaels), Ross Carrig (Killester) Dean Kelly (Tolka Rovers) who justified their inclusion with solid performances.

Bosnia had a number of great opportunities to get the scores level in the first half but Ireland came out after the interval in buoyant form as they dominated their opponents for long periods. Ireland used their possession with great effect and David Lacey doubled Ireland's lead in the 78th minute and two minutes later Ray Whelehan added another to put the game beyond Bosnia in the closing stages.

Following the opening defeat to Spain, the Irish put in a much improved performance and the defence of Carrig, Walsh, Breen and Hoey always looked in control as they snuffed out any Bosnia threats from start to finish. In midfield Callaghan, Dunne, Whelehan and Molloy created numerous chances while Lacey and Kelly ran the Bosnians ragged up front.

Following the game, Irish Manager, Gerry Smith said, "I am absolutely delighted for all of our players today. It's never easy coming back from a difficult defeat to Spain in the opening game but I thought the team were fantastic today. The conditions at the ground really suited our game plan today and the attitude and application from the player was superb. We need to build on this victory and look to Belgium whom we play next Saturday. There is a bronze medal at stake and there is every opportunity for us to get that after today's performance.

There was some bad news for the Irish when Ken Hoey sustained an ankle injury in the closing minutes of the game and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

In the other Group B game Spain booked their place in Monday's final with a 4-1 win over Belgium. Ireland place Belgium on Saturday knowing that a win might be good enough to clinch the bronze medal.


Team: A. Walsh, R. Carrig, J. Walsh (Capt), K. Hoey, P. Breen, L. Dunne, W. Callaghan, W. Molloy, R. Whelehan, D. Kelly, D. Lacey.

Subs: A. O' Duffy (65) for Molloy , W. Byrne for Carrig (85), Varian for Lacey (89)