NORTHERN IRELAND maintained their recent dominance over the Republic at under-15 level with a well-deserved 0-1 win at the A.U.L Complex at Clonshaugh Dublin, on Saturday.

The hosts never got going on what was a slow pitch, with passes continually going astray. And with 20 minutes gone, the defence fell asleep, with Northern Ireland centre back, Barry Boylan, meeting a corner from the right to send a dipping header over stranded Joseph Murphy.

The Republic's target man, Dave McMahon, rarely troubled the North's defence but nearly stole in for an equaliser.