The Republic of Ireland Under-17s began their UEFA U17 Championships Elite Qualifying Round Group 4 programme with a 2-2 draw with Greece in Wronki, Poland.
Tom Mohan's side had to show real character after falling two down in the early part of the second half before Josh Barrett eventually levelled with a penalty seven minutes from time.
After a close first half which saw neither goalkeeper overly extended, the Irish were caught on the break after a poor pass in midfield was intercepted and Kostas Kirtzialidis burst through to slot the ball past the advancing Caoimhin Kelleher in the 50th minute.
Just a minute later the Greeks were 2-0 up when winger Dimitris Limnios produced a brilliant finish. It looked set for a very disappointing start for the Irish.
However, Mohan's charges showed great character to work their way back into the game. Trevor Clarke pulled Ireland back into the tie when he connected with a Josh Barrett cross to steer the ball home.
Barrett then proved his mettle when he fired home from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute after Jamie Aherne had been taken down in the area by goalkeeper Marios Siampanis.
Mohan's side will face Belarus in their second fixture in the group on Monday. The group winners and seven runners-up with the best record against the sides first and third in their section progress to the finals to join the hosts Bulgaria in the 16-team UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals from 6 to 22 May.
“It was an excellent battling display by our sides when they were up against it at 2-0 down,” said Mohan.
“Greece were as we expected – quick and strong. They were on top early on but after ten minutes we settled well and got a grip of the game. There were few real chances for either side in the first half.
“We started ok in the second half but lost a ball from our own free-kick and they went on a punished us. Their second goal was a great strike.
“The boys never gave up and kept forcing Greece back. We created a few chances with Josh Barrett doing very well to create a chance for Trevor Clarke and he finished brilliantly.
“Jamie Aherne won us a penalty and Josh Barrett finished well. To come back from 2-0 down you are always very happy to have shown that character.
“We’ve got to build on our first point and get ready for Belarus on Monday.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Kelleher, O'Keeffe, Lunney, Masterson, Leahy, Hanney (Aherne 66), Elbouzedi (Wade-Slater 58), Levingston, Barrett, Ronan, Clarke.
GREECE: Siampanis, Katranis, Evangelou, Nikolaou, Limnios, Lamprou (Dodontsakis 80+2), Mingos (Tsimpoukas 64), Kirtzialidis (Kaptelli 68), Pavlidis, Retsos, Natsos.
