Academy striker Billy Clarke scored for the Ireland U19s as they beat Norway 3-0 in La Manga earlier this afternoon. The Irish are taking part in a four-team tournament at the Spanish resort.

Clarke, 17 just before Christmas, netted the first of Ireland's goals two minutes before half-time, converting a cross from Huddersfield's James Hand.

Charlie Simmons of Chelsea and John Hayes from Reading scored the other two goals in the second half.

The Irish take on the Czech Republic on Thursday afternoon and Denmark on Friday. The tournament is a warm-up for the next stage of qualifying for the UEFA U19 Championships in April.

Clarke, who was replaced by Southampton's Leon Best in the second half, was playing his third game at U19 level, having been promoted from the U17s to the U18s and then up a further level early in the season. The goal is his second for the U19s.

Ireland U19s: Randolph (Charlton Athletic); Binnion (Sheffield United), Elebert (Preston North End), R Keogh (Stoke City)( Hayes (Reading)), Gibson (Manchester United), Kelly (Unattached) (Simmons (Chelsea)), Morris (Leeds United), A Keogh (Leeds United), Hand (Huddersfield), Dicker (U.C.D), Clarke (Ipswich Town) (Best (Southampton)).

Photo: Action Images

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