Ireland U21 1-2 England C
The Republic of Ireland Under-21s lost 2-1 to England C in a friendly international at Galway's Eamonn Deacy Park this afternoon.
Noel King's charges produced an excellent finish to the game once the wild weather conditions calmed down but after being 2-0 down they were unlucky not to force a late equaliser.
With the wind and rain dominating early on it was not until the 33rd minute that a chance of note emerged for either side with a Bradley Garmston cross landing at the feet of Shamir Goodwin but the ball skidded away from the Irish striker on the slippery surface.
Ten minutes later Alan Browne produced an excellent cross-field pass to find Sean Long, who cut inside Jordan Roberts before Sean Raggett arrived to deny Goodwin from in front of goal.
Substitute Sean Maguire gave some drive to the Irish attack and in the 61st minute he burst down the left before setting up Long but once more his powerful shot was blocked by Raggett.
Four minutes later England took the lead when a long-range effort from Matthew Pearson looped over the head of Irish keeper Liam Bossin and drifted into the top corner.
England went 2-0 up in the 67th minute through a brilliant strike from Jordan Roberts from 25 yards out that flew into the net.
One minute later a low strike from Frazer Shaw skidded narrowly wide of the Irish goal.
Ireland pulled one back in the 81st minute when Maguire brilliantly carved out an opening to smash home from 12 yards out with a left-footed drive after finding space in the penalty area.
In the 89th minute Ireland passed up a chance to level when Pierce Sweeney headed over from close range after a brilliant flick header from Maguire went over the head of substitute keeper Calum Kitscha.
King's charges will now travel to England to face Gareth Southgate's U21 side as they prepare for the UEFA Uncer-21 finals.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Eric Grimes, Sean Long, Lee Desmond, Sean Hoare, Shane Griffin, Alan Browne, Glen Rea, Conor Wilkinson, Callum O’Dowda, Bradley Garmston, Shamir Goodwin.
Subs: Liam Bossin for Grimes 46 mins, John Kavanagh for Griffin 46, Sean Kavanagh for Goodwin 46, Kyle Callan-McFadden for Garmston 46, Sean Maguire for Wilkinson 46, Jack Connors for O'Dowda 71, Pierce Sweeney for Sean Hoare 76.
