Ireland U21s defeat Azerbaijan 2-1 in European Championship game

The first leg of Ireland's European Championship preliminary-round tie in Baku was always going to be a testing affair for Givens and his squad.

But Ireland produced a committed, battling performance on a woeful pitch described by Givens as "ropey", with Scunthorpe striker Keogh the hero.

The Azeris, who had held England Under-21s to a goalless draw in October 2004 to underline they would not be a pushover, grabbed a 20th-minute lead through Murad Aghakishiyev.

But Givens' under-strength side, missing several notable names that included Bolton's Joey O'Brien, Stephen Ireland of Manchester City, Liverpool's Darren Potter and Glenn Whelan of Sheffield Wednesday, hit back after the break.

Dublin-born Keogh, who celebrates his 20th birthday next Tuesday and who scored 15 goals for the Iron last season, hauled Ireland level after 58 minutes.

Winning his third cap after making his debut in the successful Madeira Tournament in February, Keogh then netted the winner two minutes from time.

However, there was disappointment for Givens in the dying moments when goalkeeper Darren Quigley, who plays for eircom League side UCD, was sent off.

Givens' side, though, grabbed the result to set themselves up for next Thursday's return at Kilkenny's Buckley Park, and with hopes high of reaching the group stages later this year where Greece and Belgium await.

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport