Irish undone by first-half brace

Hungary U21 2 Ireland U21 1

Knowing that only two victories from their concluding games away to Hungary and Italy would clinch a play-off, this defeat leaves Noel King’s side facing the group winners on Monday needing a draw to avoid finishing fourth in the table.

Shorn of their regular midfield anchor Richie Towell through suspension, Ireland were ruthlessly exposed on the break by the Magyars.

With the lively Istvan Kovacs of Hungary’s Europa League group stage qualifiers Videoton playing just off beanpole striker Marko Futacs in attack, the duo had the Irish defence floundering in the opening half hour.

Still, Rhys Murphy — who scored the winner in the reverse fixture 12 months ago — should have had Ireland in front on 12 minutes after Aidan White’s cross found him in the six yard box with a cross but somehow he headed over. Three minutes later, the hosts surged ahead.

Leicester City’s Marko Futacs was left alone unmarked 25 yards out and he unleashed a low drive which drifted inside the right post beyond a static Ian McLoughlin.

Ireland were to have two penalty claims denied in swift succession. Firstly when Murphy was bundled over in the box on 20 minutes and soon after as Greg Cunningham’s cross struck Ferenc Fodor on the arm.

Just as they seemed to be regaining control, the Irish were undone by a sweeping 27th minute counter attack. Futacs nicked the ball past the outstretched leg of Rob Kiernan in the centre circle before bombing down the left. All it took from the striker was a low cutback across the six-yard box for Kovacs to side-foot home.

Cunningham earned them a spot-kick five minutes before the break when floored by Tamas Kadar, allowing Robbie Brady to convert by sending the keeper the wrong way for his seventh goal at U21 level.

Needing two goals in the second half, the expected Irish onslaught failed to materialise and they were limited to free-kicks by Brady and Henderson which both sailed off-target.

“To win from a position of being two goals behind early in the game was a huge task which ended up being beyond us,” said King afterwards.

“This is a step-up from the level many of our lads are playing at with their clubs and we were punished for conceding two sloppy goals.

“In fairness, we had two stone wall penalty claims rejected and the lads pushed all the way. We may be out of the qualification race but the campaign has thrown up many positives.”

HUNGARY: Gulácsi; Svab, Kadar, Fodor, Szolnoki; Simon, Fiola; Bódi, Kovacs, Gosztonyi; Futács.

Subs: Balázs for Gosztonyi (68), Beliczky for Kovacs (87), Varga for Bodi (90).

REP OF IRELAND: McLoughlin (MK Dons); Egan (Sunderland), Kiernan (Wigan Athletic), Duffy (Everton), Cunningham (Bristol City); Hendrick (Derby County), Henderson (Arsenal), O’Kane (Bournemouth); Brady (Manchester United), Murphy (SC Telstar), White (Leeds United).

Subs: Barton (Coventry City) for O’Kane, Doran (Inverness) for Murphy (both 70), Forde (Wolves) for White (88).

Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)