Ireland come from behind to beat Faroes

The Republic of Ireland came from behind against the Faroe Islands to clinch victory in their opening UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 6 game.

Gilli Sørensen opened the scoring for the hosts but a fine solo effort by Samir Carruthers ensured the sides went in level at the break. Matthew Doherty gave the visitors the upper hand midway through the second half and added a second with two minutes left. Aiden O'Brien rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute.

Having drawn one and lost one of their opening Group 6 games, the Faroe Islands will have been eyeing a victory when captain Sørensen capitalised on a mistake in the Irish defence to give them 14th-minute lead. However, the visitors hit back as Carruthers weaved his way past three defenders before finishing at the second time of asking.

Having equalised, Carruthers then played a key role in Ireland's second, crossing for Doherty to convert. Any hope of a Faroes equaliser was extinguished when Doherty struck his second in the 88th minute. O'Brien had the final say, making the most of some confusion in the home defence to grab his second of the game.

The Faroe Islands welcome Germany on 6 September in their next fixture before the Republic of Ireland welcome the same opponents to Sligo four days later.