Under-19s lose friendly in Hungary

Brian Kerr’s Under-19s today lost the first of two friendlies they will play this week against Hungary in Budapest.

Despite dominating the game and having taken the lead after just 13 minutes, the Irish went down 3-2 to the home side.

A brilliant build-up between Killian Brennan and Danny Byrne led to Paul Keegan putting the Irish ahead with a fine header.

But two drastic lapses of concentration in the space of two minutes allowed the Hungarians go into the lead with goals from Jovanczai in 31 minutes and from Disztl two minutes later.

Glenn Whelan had a great header brilliantly saved by the home goalkeeper Kasza just on half time but the Irish were justly rewarded for constant pressure in the second half when Stephen Elliott of Manchester City controlled a ball from Alan O’Brien and shot to the net in the 80th minute.

However, the Irish were caught by a late sucker punch as the Hungarians snatched the winner five minutes from time when Lajtos shot home.

The sides meet again on Thursday (kick-off 10am Irish time).

Republic of Ireland : Simon Cox (Oxford United); Kieran Sharkey (Shelbourne), Killian Brennan (Peterboro United), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Henry McStay (Leeds United), Danny Byrne (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Manchester City), Darren Potter (Liverpool), Paul Keegan (Leeds United), Stephen Elliott (Manchester City), Mark Quigley (Millwall). Subs - David Bell (Rushden and Diamonds) for Sharkey (11 mins), Alan O’Brien (Newcastle United) for Quigley (HT), Michael Timlin (Fulham) for Keegan (58 mins), Patrick Mulvihill (Longford Town) for Byrne (58 mins).