MATT Derbyshire came out on top in the battle of the Rovers team-mates, as the England Under-21s defeated Eddie Nolan's Republic of Ireland 3-0 in a European Championship qualifier in Cork.

England, who are yet to concede a goal, remain three points clear at the top of Group 3 with a maximum 12 points from their four games played, whilst their Irish counterparts remain rooted to the bottom without a point from their opening two fixtures.

Derbyshire, who featured for 66 minutes, almost put England ahead after just four minutes, but he failed to connect with a high volley, following a ball over the top. The Rovers striker then presented Mark Noble with a golden opportunity just 30 seconds later, but the West Ham man's tame shot was comfortably saved.

The two players did combine for the opening goal however with just 10 minutes on the clock. Andrew Taylor crossed from the left, Derbs jumped to challenge the keeper, who dropped the ball and Noble stroked in into the empty net.

Derbs was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after some neat skill inside the box on 16 minutes, but just a minute later, England extended their lead. Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor broke down the left, before pulling the ball back to Noble, who side-footed home.

England added their third on 26 minutes when Taylor again crossed from the flank, James Milner swivelled on the edge of the box and his deflected shot wrong-footed Darren Randolph in the Ireland goal.

Derbs registered the first effort of the second half, but his looping header on 48 minutes was comfortably kept out and that would prove his last real involvement in the game, as he was brought off to avoid the risk of injury shortly past the hour mark. Nolan, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes at right-back for the Irish youngsters.

Elsewhere, Euro 2009 hosts Sweden beat Belgium's Under-21s 5-1 in Tubize, with Rovers left-back Martin Olsson an unused substitute.