Ireland's hopes of defending their European Youth Championships in Monday's tournament final were ended last night in Norrkoping where the sending off of Liam Miller and goals from Mattia Graffiedi and Enzo Maresca consigned Brian Kerr's side to tomorrow's third place play-off where they will meet Greece.

The manner of the defeat was almost as disappointing as the scoreline itself with Miller's departure for a second bookable offence representing the low point in a poor game by German referee Wolfgang Stark. The goal that followed, less than a minute later, effectively killed off any hopes of Ireland getting the win required for a place in the title decider.

Up until then the Irish had appeared to be just about edging what was a tight somewhat dull affair but in the 18 minutes that remained, though they pushed forward bravely, they hardly looked capable of turning the match around.

In the end it was into injury time when Graham Barrett finally got the better of Italian goalkeeper Davide Bagnacani only for Manuele Blasi to clear off the line. But by then, a goal for the Irish would have made no difference for Maresca had already made the most of the increasing gaps in the Irish defence to double his side's lead from some eight yards out.

Given the character shown by his side again last night it was hardly surprising that it was the tactics of his opponents and the way the game was handled by Stark which occupied Kerr in the aftermath of the match.

The German referee seemed to be taken in hook, line and sinker by the Italians' book of tricks, most notably their blood curdling cries, one or two of which may have been heard up in Lapland whenever any physical contact was made with an Irishman.

Stark, in fact, had shown himself to be a three card trickster's dream long before he showed Miller a red card for what he clearly felt was an unfair challenge on Lazio midfielder Giampiero Pinzi. And while the Corkman looked to have few complaints about the card he had received earlier after he seemed to clip Franco Semioli on the way through, a card or two waved in the direction of those hitting the deck at the first sign of a green shirt might have had a decidedly positive effect on the game. A goal for the Irish, however, would have helped. With the pressure growing on their opponents with every passing moment, Roasario Rampanti's side looked happy to sit back and absorb whatever Gary Doherty, Richie Baker and Richie Partridge could throw at them.

Caught between the need to hammer out the win and not concede the midfield to the Azzuri, Kerr left his captain, Doherty, alone in the centre until after the opening goal when Graham Barrett replaced Greg O'Halloran.

In midfield, where Colin Healy, Ger Crossley and Miller harried the Italians at every opportunity, and as a result won a steady stream of possession, the approach seemed to pay off but up front, where the widemen did their best to support Doherty, there was little for the goalkeeper to do. By the time Barrett arrived it was too late for him to make any sort of impact. Ireland come close to getting back on level terms on 75 minutes when Padraig Drew overhit a cross from the right for Doherty and the ball beat Bagnacani only to hop harmlessly off the top of the crossbar. Another day it would have found the net. Sadly, though, this one belonged to the Italians.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Delaney (Everton); O'Halloran (Cork City), Gavin (Middlesbrough), Clarke (Stoke City), Murphy (Blackburn Rovers); Crossley (Unattached), Miller (Celtic), Healy (Celtic); Partridge (Liverpool), Doherty (Luton Town), Baker (Shelbourne). Subs: Drew (Home Farm) for Baker (62 mins), Barrett (Arsenal) for O'Halloran (71 mins), O'Grady (Sligo Rovers) for Healy (82 mins).

ITALY: Bragnacani (Reggiania); Lazzeri (Torino); Caselli (Cremapergo 1908), Fissore (Torino), Fabris (Torino); Semioli (Torino), Maresca (West Brom), Pinzi (Lazio), Olivi (Cesena); Colucci (Foggia); Graffiedi (Cesena). Subs: Turi (Piacenza) for Caselli (half-time), Blasi (Lecce) for Colucci (85 mins), Lazzaro (Torino) for Graffiedi (88 mins).

Referee: W Stark (Germany).