Bermingham makes international bow

Last updated : 12 October 2005 By Tony Scholes

Bermingham, currently on loan from Premiership club Manchester City, celebrated his 20th birthday last Thursday with his first cap for the Republic at Under-21 level a day later.

That cap came last Friday in Larnaca as the Irish took on Cyprus but it wasn’t a good night as Don Givens’ side could only draw 1-1 to extend a poor recent run. Karl was as substitute and got his chance with sixteen minutes to go when he replaced Bohemians’ Stephen Ward.

He’d been on the pitch just two minutes when Willo Flood, another Manchester City player currently on loan at Coventry, grabbed an equaliser, 1-1 being the final score.

Bermingham was again on the bench last night as they went down 2-1 at home to Switzerland despite a much better performance. This time though he remained on the bench and will have to wait a while longer for his second cap.