Pita grabs winner as Portugal edge it

IRELAND’S U-19 side were unlucky losers to an impressive Portugal in a friendly at Belfield last night.

The Irish had two chances to grab an opening goal within the first 80 seconds but first James McCarthy had a shot deflected wide then James Berrett shot over from close range.

Portugal’s goal came in the 12th minute when Carlos Pita fired home from close range after connecting with a corner by Andrien Silva. Ireland battled hard in the second-half but Portuguese keeper Anthony Lopes kept out efforts by Shane Lowry, Brendan Moloney and Peter McMahon.

REP OF IRELAND: Redmond; Moloney, Spillane, Haverty, O’Toole (Earls71), McCarthy (McMahon 71), Fitzgerald, Berrett (Lowry 46), Byrne (Lynch 46), Daly (Corcoran 71), McDermott.

PORTUGAL:Lopes; Fernandes, Pinto, Pita, Lima, Cruz, Ribeiro (Santos 65), Silva (Hugo 46), Ferreira (Rosado 46), Rabiola (Matias 46), Carvalhas (Rainho 87).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland U-17 manager Sean McCaffrey has announced his squad for next week’s European Championship first phase qualifying mini-group.

Ireland face Ukraine, Denmark and the Slovenia on home soil in a tough group, with the top two nations automatically progressing into next year’s second Elite qualification stage.

There are also places on offer into the next round for the two third-placed teams from across the 13 pools with the best records against the leading pair in the mini-group.

Ireland will play Ukraine in their first match at Terryland Park, Galway on Friday, September 14 (7pm) before tackling Denmark two days later at Lissywoolen Stadium, Athlone (7 pm).

Their last assignment in the group pits them against Slovenia on Wednesday, September 19 at Flancare Park in Longford (7 pm).

UEFA first phase qualifying fixtures: Group 5: Friday, Sept 14th: Denmark v Slovenia, Lissywoolen, Athlone, 2.30pm; Ukraine v Republic of Ireland, Terryland Park , Galway, 7pm.

Sunday, Sept 16th: Slovenia v Ukraine, Flancare Park , Longford, 2.30pm; Denmark v Republic of Ireland, Lissywoolen, Athlone, 7pm.

Wednesday, Sept 19th: Ukraine v Denmark, Terryland Park, Galway, 7pm; Republic of Ireland v Slovenia, Flancare Park , Longford 7pm.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-17 squad: H Lee (Charlton Ath), G Hanley (Salthill Devon), R Towell (Celtic), P Orsmby (Crumlin Utd), K Keane (Derby Co), J Dunleavy (Wolves), M Connolly (Wolves), G Gunning (Blackburn Rov), G Morrissey (Ringmahon Rangers), C Clifford (Chelsea), C Hourihane (Sunderland), G Holohan (Cherry Orchard), G Cunningham (Man City), A Doran (Blackburn Rvs), P Murphy (Ipswich Town), D Satelle (Crumlin Utd), K Sheppard (Everton), D Heagney (Huddersfield Town).