Congrats to Paul Doolin and his U19s players and management.

Goals from Connor Murphy, substitute Sean Murray and John O’ Sullivan took Ireland into their first finals since 2002 as Group 4 winners.

Ireland qualified for their first UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in nine years with a convincing defeat of Italy. Ireland went into the elite round Group 4 decider in Poland two points behind their opponents but goals from Connor Murphy, substitute Sean Murray and John O’ Sullivan sealed victory against a side who ended with nine men. Paul Doolin’s team will compete in Romania from 20 July and in the draw in Bucharest on 8 June join the hosts, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Serbia and two further teams to be decided next week.