'Whatever happens, my door will always be open to them' says Colin O'Brien as Ireland's U17 World Cup ends

Vinnie Leonard had given Ireland late hope with a neat finish from Troy Parrott territory but in the end, it wasn’t to be their dat.

END OF THE ROAD: Jaden Umeh is consoled by Republic of Ireland head coach Colin O'Brien and Mladen Mijajlovic of Switzerland. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland 1 Switzerland 3

Unfortunately, there just wasn’t to be a Budapest style comeback in Doha on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland’s U17 World Cup journey has come to an end at the last-16 stage as they were beaten by Switzerland.

Vinnie Leonard had given Ireland late hope with a neat finish from Troy Parrott territory but in the end, it wasn’t enough on pitch one at the Aspire Zone in Qatar as Switzerland progress to a quarter-final clash with Portugal.

The young Boys in Green started brightly and Jaden Umeh was unfortunate to lose his footing at a vital moment as he looked to get a shot away inside the box.

“It’s been an incredible season,” began manager Colin O’Brien, who is likely to have taken charge of the side of the final time.

“Right now we’re gutted, we had total belief that we could keep this going and that is the type of mentality that is in every individual within the group.

“We did everything we could but it just wasn’t to be our night. But I think when everything settles, what they have done for the country is incredible.

“It’s been really positive. We have had 16 players that have come through our own system, if we want to continue trying to get to these competitions there’s still a lot of work to be done, believe me.

“They’ve represented the flag with distinction. They’ve inspired the nation, they’re role models now.

"Whatever happens after here with the group and the staff, my door will always be open to them."

Switzerland created a good chance of their own in the 16th minute but after controlling captain Gil Zufferey’s pass over the top, Giacomo Koloto's shot on the turn was easily stopped by Ireland’s goalkeeper, and hero from the penalty shootout victory over Canada in the Round of 32, Alex Noonan.

Nevio Scherrer headed a decent chance from a corner wide of the back post midway through the half before Ireland had a couple of sights at goal from distance with Ramon Martos’ effort deflecting inches wide before Grady McDonnell drilled just past the far bottom left corner.

Republic of Ireland supporters during the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 16 match. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile

Michael Noonan went even closer as the half time break approached but after his excellent first touch created space on the edge of the penalty area his powerful strike sailed over the crossbar.

But Switzerland started the second half the much better team and Ireland needed Leonard to produce a sensational last-ditch challenge to stop the lively Koloto’s goal bound effort before substitute Sandro Wyss struck the far post, although he may have been offside.

Alex Noonan then denied Adrien Llukes’ attempt from long-range, but the Irish number one was finally beaten in the 57th minute.

And it was that man Llukes who got it as Jill Stiel beat Victor Ozhianzuna in a 50:50 challenge before rolling in the FC Sion forward, whose shot deflected in off Ryan Butler at the near post.

If the opening goal was a bit lucky, there was nothing fortunate about Wyss’ strike that made it 2-0 in the 69th minute as the FC Luzern attacker arrowed the ball from 20 yards or so into far top left corner after a sharp turn, just as Ireland had began to get a foothold in the contest.

Alex Noonan made another great save before substitute Kian McMahon-Brown produced an incredible goal-line clearance to prevent Koloto from making it 3-0 following an incisive counter attack.

And then in the 82nd minute Leonard gave Ireland a lifeline when he eventually fired home amidst a goalmouth scramble, but it just wasn’t to be Ireland’s day as Mladen Mijajlovic‘s deflected curler sealed Switzerland’s place in the last eight.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Alex Noonan; Sherlock, Leonard, Butler, Solanke (Ogbonna 71); Finneran, McDonnell (Lee 80), Martos (McMahon-Brown 60); Umeh, Michael Noonan, Ozhianvuna.

SWITZERLAND: Brogli; Mambwa, Zufferey, Sadikaj, Correia; Mijajlovic (Barererwa 89), Bruchez, LLukes (Kaufmann 89), Stiel (Sinani 95); Koloto, Scherrer (Wyss ht); Cherif.

Referee: Mohammed Ahmed Al Shammari (Qatar).