Don Givens' side claimed their first win in seven matches in the group

Graham Barrett rounded off his under-21 international career with a tremendous performance in the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 win over Russia in Waterford.

Nine of the Irish starters were playing in their final match at under-21 level with managing Don Giverns promising to bring through a new crop of players through after the game.

Barrett sent out a message to senior boss Brian Kerr by scoring the home side's opener in the 65th minute and then playing a huge part in the late Russian own-goal which sealed the victory.

The win was Ireland's first win in seven games in the under-21 qualifying group.

With the Irish out of the qualifying race so the match was all about avenging the 2-0 defeat in Moscow 12 months ago - plus the chance to impress senior team manager Brian Kerr.

The Irish had a great chance to take the lead in only the fourth minute but Celtic's Liam Miller was denied by the woodwork after good work by Barrett and Thomas Butler.

The Russians hit back and after eight minutes playmaker Marat Izmailov found space on the right before squaring the ball for Roman Adamov in the box, but he drilled his rising shot just wide.

Izmailov was definitely the dangerman and after 15 minutes he latched on to Andrei Arshavin's flick, cut in from the right and hit a fierce shot which Daniel Connor did well to push away to his right.

Graham Barrett scored one and made the other

The 4,000 fans in the Waterford United stadium thought Ireland had taken the lead after 22 minutes.

Nottingham Forest winger Reid again did well on the left as he slipped his marker and delivered an inviting deep cross.

John O'Flynn met it with a diving header, but with just the goalkeeper to beat he directed the ball just beyond the far post.

Connor, playing on his home ground, came to the rescue again for the Irish after 38 minutes when Arshavin fed Izmaylov and the big goalkeeper blocked the close range shot with his legs.

Ireland were lucky to escape after 48 minutes when Izmailov weaved his way into the box and drove a low shot against the base of Connor's right hand post and Adamov put the rebound wide.

The Irish punished the miss in the 65th minute when Barrett steering a first time O'Flynn cross to the net.

Barrett then played a massive role in the second goal in the 82nd minute with Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev saving his shot only for the ball to rebound off substitute Rogotchi and into the net.

Rep of Ireland U21: Connor, Kelly, Kohlmann, Cryan, Thompson, Miller, Butler, Barrett, O'Flynn, Kevin O'Connor, Reid. Subs: Byrne, Capper, Daly, Deeney, Doyle, Brennan, Elliott.

Russia U21: Akinfeev, Kuzmin, Kolodin, Alexei Berezoutski, Vassili Berezoutski, Izmailov, Denisson, Kusov, Eviskov, Arshavin, Adamov. Subs: Gabulov, Gogniev, Rogotchi, Pimenov, Bober, Vinogradov.