The Republic of Ireland failed to reach the final of the Under-23 International Challenge Trophy after a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Belgium in their final group two game at Dalymount Park, reports John Kenny.
It looked as if Ireland were heading for the final when Ger O'Brien's goal cancelled out a Jelle Vossen opener ten minutes from time.
However, a stunning strike from Belgian captain David Hubert put the Republic out and the visitors into the final.
Needing just a draw to make the final against either England or Italy, manager Pat Fenlon started with a defensive 4-5-1 formation with Cork City's Denis Behan in the lone striker's role.
After a sluggish enough opening to the game, Belgium almost hit the front on 12 minutes through a long range free-kick from Yahis Papassarantis, but Barry Murphy was alert, diving to save well at his near post.
Vossen's shot from distance also whistled over Murphy's crossbar as the home side were penned back in their own half in the early stages.
Ireland settled however and Behan's goal-bound shot was blocked by the legs of Belgian defender Gil Servaes, while Stephen Rice's effort was headed off the line by Hubert.
Behan also had the ball in the net on the half hour mark after being set up by Rice, but it was ruled offside.
Belgium manager Marc Van Geersons made three changes at half time but the game remained a tame encounter. A Stephen Brennan free-kick, which was pushed over by keeper Kevin Goeman, was the highlight of an insipid opening to the second-half.
On 62 minutes, the Republic could have all but have guaranteed themselves a place in the final as Behan hit the post and Conor Kenna's shot was saved by Goeman.
But a slip at the other end by Sligo's Gavin Peers on 63 minutes let Vossen get in behind the defence and the Belgian waited for Murphy to go to ground before slotting in the opening goal.
It looked as if that would be good enough to put the Belgians through, but Paul Keegan's free-kick was turned to the net by O'Brien ten minutes from time to give Ireland real hope.
However, they ended the game with ten men as Kenna was shown a straight red card by referee Marc Douglas for a strong challenge on Hubert and deep into injury-time and Hubert made Ireland pay with an outstanding strike which gave Belgium the win.
The venue for the final will be announced after the England-Italy group one decider next month.
Republic of Ireland: Murphy (Shamrock Rovers); O'Brien (Shamrock Rovers), Kenna (UCD), Pears (Sligo Rovers), Powell (Bohemians); O’Shea (Galway), Rice (Shamrock Rovers), O’Donnell (Bohemians), Keegan (Drogheda United-Capt) Brennan (Bohemians); Behan (Cork City).
Substitutions: Kelly (Bohemians) for O’Shea, Gaynor (Cobh) for Brennan both 65 mins. Rowe (Bray) for Rice 79 mins, Coleman (Sligo) for Kelly 89 mins.
Belgium: Goeman (Lens); Tamsin (Turnhout), Van Gijsegham (Excelsior), Servaes (Anderlecht), Huyghebaert (Auxxerre), Hubert (Capt-Genk), Vermeerbergen (Beerschot), Papassarantis (Roeselare), Mathyssen (Red Star Waaland), Vossen (Genk), Mununga (Mechelen).
Substitutions: Kums (Kortrijk) for Van Gijsegham, Wittesaele (Dender) for Mathyssen, Buyens (Lierse) for Mununga all 45 mins, Ngadrira (Mechelen) for Papassarantis 84 mins.
Referee: Marc Douglas (Ireland).
