England National Game XI boss Paul Fairclough hailed Sussex fans as "fantastic" after they roared his Lions to Four Nations victory.

England kicked off the tournament with a comfortable win over Ireland at Priory Lane last night.

Michael Carr and Dennis Oli scored in the second half in front of a crowd of more than 800.

Fairclough praised the fans and the hard work of Eastbourne Borough in hosting the game.

He said: "I thought the supporters were fantastic and I am hoping that now we have got our first win that even more people will come along. We want to break the 1,000 mark for the next game against Wales.

"I was very pleased with the amount of work that has gone into the surface of the pitch. For this time of year, the ground staff can be proud of themselves.

"We have been treated very well by the committee and chairman of Eastbourne and they have made us feel at home."

The atmosphere was buoyant from the start thanks to Eastbourne Borough's notorious band of drummers.

They were once prevented from travelling to a game because they were too loud and they lived up to their ear-busting reputation throughout the match.

Most of the supporters and scouts from a number of League clubs had turned up hoping to see potential stars of the future.

The tournament has been a launch pad for up and coming players in the past with the likes of Birmingham striker DJ Campbell and Reading's Kevin Doyle having taken part in recent years.

A number of players caught the eye, particularly in the England side which was made up of the best talent from the Conference.

Woking striker Justin Richards was a constant threat and showed why he has attracted interest from a host of League clubs.

Captain Stuart Thurgood, the Grays midfielder and former Tottenham trainee, also impressed with his composure when he had the ball and his tenacity when he did not.

But the player most of the crowd will have gone home talking about was Stevenage winger George Boyd.

The 19-year-old was linked with a move to Leeds last January and it will surely not be long before he is playing at a higher level.

He was involved in most things England did going forward, especially in a goalless first half.

He had a goal ruled out for offside on 19 minutes after beating keeper Terry Masterson with a neat finish. The left-footer then set up Oli with a curling cross which the Grays frontman stabbed wide.

Ireland, formed of players from the Eircom League, were restricted to hopeful long-range efforts which failed to trouble former Hastings keeper Shwan Jalal, who now plays for Woking.

It needed a double substitution from Fairclough to break the deadlock on 74 minutes.

Accrington Stanley's Gary Roberts crossed for Northwich's Carr to nod into the bottom corner, just four minutes after the pair had come on.

Roberts then created the second nine minutes from time. Another cross from the left wing was met by Oli, who looped a header into the top corner.

The victory left the majority of fans happy.

Joe Watson, 41, a Lewes supporter, said: "I was impressed by the standard of football, particularly from England. They looked more skilful, fitter and stronger than Ireland.

"I was pleased there was a good turn out and it shows that people in Sussex like their non-league football.

"It was quite a good game overall and I will be coming back for the second match against Wales."

Steve Morgan, 37, an Eastbourne Borough supporter said: "I didn't think I would ever see international football played at Priory Lane. It was brilliant, especially when they played the National Anthem.

"I thought it was a good atmosphere, it was just a shame there wasn't more goals."

England: Jalal; Travis, Kempson, Charnock, Nutter (Blackett 89), Oli, Thurgood, Craney (Carr 70), Boyd, McLean (Mackail-Smith 85), Richards (Roberts 70). Subs not used: Jones, Henry, Southam.

Ireland: Masterson; McGhee, Lally, O'Donnell, Guthrie, Finn, Harte, Deegan (McKeniff 67), Nolan (Timmons 73), Bracken, Tyrell (McGowan 87). Subs not used: Mulvenna, Killeen, Ferry, Peoples.

Referee: Mr S. MacDonald (Scotland).

Attendance: 824.

Man-of-the-match: George Boyd (England).