"It settled our nerves and I always felt we were comfortable after it went in. I am delighted we are going through. After everything we have been through in the build-up to these finals, we deserve to be there." After Ireland took the lead, nerves got the better of McCarthy's team and they had Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given to thank for a string of saves to keep them ahead.
McCarthy made changes at halftime and brought on Sunderland striker Niall Quinn to add potency to the attack. The switch paid off and once Breen scored the second goal, Ireland took control of the game. The third and final goal came on 87 minutes when Duff finished from a Matt Holland through ball with a shot that Al Deayea spilled into the goal.
McCarthy added: "Everyone was telling us all week what a big game it was and there's no doubt we were nervous in the first half. The early goal was something we worked on and it did help to settle us, but they slowed the game down and I had to change it at halftime when I brought Niall Quinn.
"The lads did respond, we controlled the second half and we got no more than we deserved out of that game. We are through now and that is something to celebrate."
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