Academy striker Billy Clarke scored the opening goal as Ireland's U19s beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in the opening match of their UEFA U19 European Championship first qualifying phase group at Turner's Cross, Cork.

Clarke hit home from 12 yards in the ninth minute, Arsenal's Stokes adding a second on 33, four minutes after Portsmouth's Fordyce had equalised for the Northern Irish.

Ireland face Moldova at Cobh on Tuesday and finally Italy on Thursday, also at Turner's Cross. The top two from the group go through to the 'elite' phase of qualifying with the finals being played in Poland next summer.

Owen Garvan and Shane Supple were initially included in the squad but Town successfully requested their release.

Ireland U19s: Randolph (Charlton), Keane (Bohemians) (Madden (Leeds Utd) 12), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), O'Dea (Celtic), Stapleton (Reading), Kelly (Bohemians), Gibson (Manchester Utd), Morris (Leeds Utd), Hayes (Reading) (O'Brien (Celtic) 80), Stokes (Arsenal) (O'Carroll (Celtic) 86), Clarke (Ipswich Town).

Photo: Action Images

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