Owen Garvan helped Republic of Ireland U21s hit back from 2-0 down to claim a draw against Portugal.
Ireland hit back from 2-0 down against Portugal
Owen Garvan helped Republic of Ireland Under-21s hit back from 2-0 down to claim a draw against Portugal in Maderia.
Any hopes the Republic had of qualifying for the Uefa Under-21 Championship play-offs had already gone, but the Ipswich midfielder's brace helped them avoid defeat in their final fixture.
Ireland goalkeeper Shane Redmond was called into action twice in the first 12 minutes, first saving smartly from Manuel Fernandes' free-kick, then turning a Vieirinha shot pushed wide of the post.
Garvan also started well, teeing up Alan Judge with a fine cross before drilling the ball across goal - where just a touch would have steered it home - in the 14th minute.
Volley
Former Bolton man Ricardo Vaz Te then put the hosts ahead, driving the ball goalwards after some industrious work from Vieirinha.
That lead was doubled in first-half stoppage time when Fernandes rifled in a volley from close range.
Garvan's first came four minutes after the restart when he converted Sean Scannell's cut back from the left flank to make it 2-1.
James McCarthy twice came close to equalising but it was Garvan who deservedly claimed his second after 65 minutes.
Scannell again played the role of creator, feeding the 20-year-old who hit the far corner from 15 yards.
