Adam Rooney headed home the only goal of the game in the last minute to give Ireland their second win of the week over Hungary in Arklow Town's ground, Wicklow, in an U18 friendly.
The Stoke City striker netted his third goal in four International matches this season by connecting with Simon Madden’s cross into the box.
This squad have won all four games played this season and this latest set of results will instil confidence ahead of their UEFA Under-19 qualifying series in Macedonia this September.
It looked like Ireland were going to be held scoreless in a match that they started slowly but completely dominated in the second half.
Blackburn Rovers winger Keith Treacy was influential for the Irish, using his pace and dribbling skills to full effect down the wing in the first half and up front after the break.
He became the key figure for the Republic after the break as they upped a gear in pursuit of the opening goal.
From one of his many inviting corners, substitute Adam Rooney rose at the back post to head towards goal on the hour mark but Tamas Sipos rescued his goalkeeper by scrambling the ball off the line. Stephen Gleeson seized on the rebound but clipped his shot marginally wide.
Treacy was the catalyst for Ireland’s attacks and it was inevitable that he would create chances. He almost netted just after the hour mark when he fired wide after racing though on goal but he produced a better chance 18 minutes from the end.
He penetrated the defensive line yet again, rounded goalkeeper Esterhazy, and forced defender Nagy Sandor to race back and make a desperate clearance as he hacked the ball away for a corner.
The Republic didn’t have it all their own way and Hungarian playmaker Istvan Vituska gave them a scare within a few minutes of the start of the second half when he beat goalkeeper Lee Boyle with a shot that rebounded off the upright back into play.
In the end, Ireland got the win they deserved. They were largely in control of possession and the chances and several newcomers to the team gave assured displays. They will play two more friendly games against the Ukraine in August.
