Ireland playing catch-up after defeat to Serbia

Ireland’s U17s are playing catch-up already to reach the European Championships following defeat to Serbia in yesterday’s opening elite stage qualifier.

It was a cruel loss in Eindhoven for John Morling’s men, who created the majority of chances and missed a late penalty.

A close-range finish 14 minutes from the end by Partizan Belgrade midfielder Milan Jokic settled the encounter, putting Ireland’s destiny out of their hands, despite having two more games still to play. Up next for Ireland is a meeting with mini-group hosts Holland tomorrow, a tie they must win to harbour any ambition of winning the four-nation group and clinching the one ticket on offer into the finals in Slovenia this May.