The Republic of Ireland Under-19s got off to a losing start in the four nations tournament when they were beaten by Portugal at Flancare Park.
Danny Kelly came close to giving the home side an early lead when he failed narrowly to connect with a Kurtis Byrne free kick swept into the penalty area.
Damien McCrory then shot wide on 13 minutes as Ireland's bright start continued.
Byrne blasted a free kick off the defensive wall for an Irish corner kick on 19 minutes while two minutes later Callum Morris sent a looping header from a Byrne free kick just over the bar.
Irish goalkeeper Gerard Hanley was called into action after 24 minutes when he brilliantly pushed away a direct free kick by Diogo Rosado from the edge of the penalty area after Morris had fouled Nelson Oliveira.
The last Irish chance of the half fell to Gavin Gunning but he headed a Conor Henderson free-kick from the left just over the bar.
The Portugese shocked the 600 strong home support when they took the lead in first half stoppage time as Ireland failed to clear the danger following a free kick from the right. Rosado's clip back from the end line picked out Rui Fonte who volleyed to the net past the keeper’s right for the lead goal.
The first chance on the resumption fell to the Irish but there was nobody in the penalty area to capitalise on a dangerous cross from the left by Damien McCrory with the ball going across goal and wide.
Ireland's best chance of grabbing an equaliser came from a set piece after 70 minutes when Gavin Gunning's header from a corner on the left was tipped onto the crossbar by the Portugese keeper.
Irish stopper Gerard Hanley was also seen to good effect four minutes from full time when he blocked a goal bound strike from Leo with his legs.
A late Irish rally almost yielded a score but the visiting goal stayed intact. A dangerous free kick from Paul Murphy was gratefully headed behind by Portugese captain Mendes while in stoppage time Darragh McNamara and Murphy had further chances.
Ireland had a final attempt at an equaliser as the ball fell to McNamara but he headed a Damien McCrory cross over the bar.
Republic of Ireland: G Hanley; L Oyebanjo: C Morris; D Kelly; J O’Brien (M Collins 58m); K Byrne (J Devitt 64m); I Daly (C Clifford 58m); D McCrory; C Henderson (P Murphy 82m); G Gunning; P Madden (D McNamara 69m).
Portugal: A Lopes; I Pinto (N Reis 89m); P Mendes; J Pereira; D Rosado (Dinis h/t); R Fonte (D Viana h/t); D Simao ( Leo h/t); N Oliveira; A Martins ( Wilson h/t); M Rui; A Almeida (Sana 73m) .
