Ireland's Euro U17 hopes in the balance after shock loss to Finland

The Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA European U17 Championships suffered a blow this afternoon following a 3-2 defeat to Finland in Portugal.

Cork City's Franco Umeh had twice given Ireland the lead in the crucial Group 8 Elite Round qualifier but goals from Julio Freitas Von Hellens and substitutes Lauri Laine and Yilson Lika earned the Finnish youngsters the three points at the Parque Desportivo Sant'Ana, Penalva Castelo.