"Brian Kerr's battling Irish U20 side brilliantly defied all the odds to put themselves on the brink of qualifying for the second round of the World Youth Cup finals in Malaysia." - Irish Independent on Ireland's 2-1 victory over USA.

With his first choice goalkeeper hospitalised, Paul Whelan got his chance to shine, but for Kerr, his concerns over Derek O'Connor's health were more long-term.

"I went to see him with the doctor and I asked him if he thought he'd be alright for the next day to play. He said yes, but I was really more worried if he'd survive, looking at how bad he was in the hospital."

A well-drilled American outfit were defeated with Mickey Cummins central to the win. He scored the opener and was instrumental in the second, an own goal by the USA.

"I believe to this day I scored the second goal, though it was credited as an own goal. It was the same routine we practiced in training and I flicked it on, though Trevor claims he got a touch on it over the line."

The only blot on the copybook was the injury picked up by John Burns. Initially unsure of the damage caused, it would rule him out of action for nine months and have a significant impact on his football career.

"Of all the injuries I had in football it was the worst I had. I was out for nine months."

"The drama was almost soap operatic as Ireland historically qualified for the World Youth Cup second round in Alor Setar. Brian Kerr's U20 side grabbed the point they needed from Chine to qualify but had to do so despite the controversial 80th minute dismissal of goalkeeper Derek O'Connor." - Irish Independent on Ireland's 2-1 victory over USA.

O'Connor was restored to the team after passing a fitness test, but was far from his physical peak. He still wasn't eating and only adrenalin was getting him through.

More drama was just around the corner with Ireland needing just a point to qualify for the knockout stages.

O'Connor had developed a quirk with his kicking out of hand, where he struggled to get his planted foot in the right position.

"I was even trying to mark my steps back so I knew how many I had taken, but for some reason it was just all wrong."

The anxious shot-stopper would stop his run up and take a step back, before going again in an effort to correct his feet. While the crowd cheered and enjoyed the spectacle, the referee took it to be time wasting.

Two yellow cards later and Whelan was again thrust into action

"It was ridiculous," says Kerr 20 years on. "It wasn't like we were two-up. It was astounding at the time."

It was backs to the wall as China aggressively pushed forward for a goal to remain in the competition, but the 10 men held firm and Ireland advanced.