Irish fightback falls short as late show flatters Portuguese 

Cork City starlet Mark O'Mahony scored again to help Ireland claw back into contest but late goals give scoreline a harsh edge

Rich form: Mark O'Mahony was again on the scoresheet for Ireland's Under 17s but they were undone by hosts Portugal. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Portugal U17 4 Ireland U17 1

The Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s have opened the Elite Round of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers with defeat as they were harshly beaten 4-1 by Portugal at the Fontelo Municipal in Viseu, Portugal on Wednesday afternoon.