Two goals from Sam Byrne saw Ireland Under-19s claim victory over Iceland at Tallaght Stadium.

The striker, recently released by Manchester United, scored twice after the break and Ireland held on after Ævar Ingi Jóhannesson pulled back a consolation goal for the visitors.

Paul Doolin’s side sit top of the group as the other teams in the section, Serbia and Turkey, drew 1-1 earlier in the day.

Next up in the UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round for Ireland is a clash with Turkey in Tallaght on Friday night, kick-off 7pm.

Republic of Ireland: Eric Grimes, Noe Baba, Bobby Moseley, Kyle McFadden, Sean Long, Alan Browne, Dylan Connolly, Thomas Mulroney, Sam Byrne, Alex O’Hanlon, Steven McCarthy. Subs: Ryan Goldsmith for McCarthy 76; Colm Crowe for O’Hanlon 90.

Iceland: Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson, Adam Örn Arnarsson, Jón Ingason, Samúel Kári Friðjónsson, Emil Ásmundsson, Ævar Ingi Jóhannesson, Elías Már Ómarsson, Kristján Flóki Finnbogason, Daði Bergsson, Daníel Leó Grétarsson, Sindra Björnsson. Subs: Davíð Kristján Ólafsson for Bergsson 63; Heiðar Ægisson for Björnsson 73; Albert Guðmundsson for Arnarsson 80.