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Ireland and Scotland Under-17's kicked off their UEFA Championship qualifying group in Germany on Wednesday when they met on a bitterly cold and wet afternoon in Emsdetten in front of 1100 spectators. Remarkably, Norwich had four Academy players involved in the two squads, Celtic and Rangers being the only other clubs to match this number. Academy Scholars Gareth Matthews and Kurtis Byrne both started for Ireland who also had Norwich Under-16 schoolboy Danny Kelly on the bench. For Scotland Kris Renton had to settle for a place on the bench. |
 Kurtis Byrne put in a good display for Ireland |
 Gareth Matthews was solid at left-back for Ireland |
Ireland started the game the more lively of the two sides and went ahead after seven minutes through Manchester City's Ian Daly. The Irish continued to dominate the game throughout the first half with Daly's strike partner Michael Collins (Liverpool) and Kurtis Byrne on the right causing the Scottish defence plenty of problems. Gareth Matthews, recently recovered from injury, had a solid game at left-back as Ireland increased their lead, again through Daly, just before half-time. The goal came from a Kurtis Byrne cross minutes after Kurtis himself had broken through on the right only to see his shot saved. The second-half saw Scotland try to get themselves back into the game and substitute Carlo Monti (Celtic) scored with a header on 6o minutes. |
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Gareth Matthews had to be substituted shortly after following a knock, while Scotland brought on Kris Renton with ten minutes to go but it was not enough to salvage a point against the resilient Irish. The two sides now have further games against Germany and Greece on Friday and Monday to decide who qualifies for the finals (Germany won 4-1 in today's other match). After today's result the Irish are clearly best placed to challenge hosts Germany for a spot at the finals which will be staged in Belgium in May. Below you will find a selction of photos showing the Norwich contingent in action and a few impressions from the game. |
 Kris Renton looks for the through ball during his brief run-out |
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 Danny Kelly (right) among the Ireland subs |
 Kris Renton had to settle for a place on the bench |
 Kurtis Byrne (13) is fully concentrated on the task in hand (Danny Kelly lines up behind him) |
 Kurtis Byrne in full flow |
 Gareth Matthews heads forward |
 Irish coach Sean McCaffrey wrapped up warm against the cold |
 For groundhoppers: The Walter Steinkuehler Stadium is the home of Borussia Emsdetten |
 Kris Renton |
 Gareth Matthews with an opponent |
 Kurtis Byrne went close with this effort |
 The Irish bench shows second-half nerves |
 The Irish jump for joy after their first goal |
 ... and celebrate the second with equal enthusiasm |
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Report and Photos from Paul Standley. |
 Kurtis in the spotlight |