Lorcan's Irish Still Smiling

WEST Ham United's Lorcan Fitzgerald was again captain of the Republic of Ireland Under-17 side as they followed up Tuesday's win over Ukraine with a battling performance to draw 2-2 with Italy in the first qualifying phase of the UEFA Under-17 Championships.

Terry Dixon and Cillian Sheridan were Ireland's goal-scorers as Sean McCaffrey's team made it six games without defeat since their win in the Nordic Cup this summer.