Republic of Ireland 1-0 Andorra
Substitute Michael Noonan became Republic of Ireland's youngest scorer at Under-21 level as the Shamrock Rovers teenager rescued Jim Crawford's side against Andorra in their European Championship qualifier.
Ireland laboured for the first hour at Tallaght Stadium, raising concerns a day that was already set to go down in Irish football ignominy could get even worse.
Within seconds of his introduction however, Noonan blasted a shot beyond Andorra goalkeeper Marc De Castro to claim his record, stripping his strike partner Mason Melia of that particular honour.
At 17 years, one month and nine days, this record-breaking winner is the latest string to an increasingly impressive bow for the Hoops youngster. His breakthrough year will likely end with a League of Ireland winners medal and more opportunities to impress on the European stage.
Ireland were matched for the most part by the minnows and they were fortunate that both Aron Rodrigo's shot and Gerard Sola's effort did not find the net ate on. Rodrigo and defenders Ian Olivera and Biel Borra all started for their senior team against England at Villa Park on Saturday.
That experience appeared to have stood to them and all three impressed against Ireland, as did Jan Guma. Their improvement in recent years is evident.
Crawford had warned ahead of the game that Andorra might offer an "aggressive resistance" and that certainly proved the case. At least, he can reflect on his side talking six points in this opening window of the campaign. Anything less would have been a major disappointment.
He made three changes from the side that began Thursday's opening European Championship qualifying win against Moldova. Jacob Slater, Adam Murphy and Mark O'Mahony made way for Alex Murphy, Cathal McCarthy and Harry Vaughan.
For those spectators in Tallaght Stadium or watching on TV hoping to find a salve to soothe the pain of Yerevan earlier in the evening, for much of the game it looked as if they would be left even more anguished.
Andorra were brave both on the ball and in pressing Ireland high up the pitch especially in the first half. Composed in possession throughout, any notion that they would represent an easy touch for the young Irish was soon disabused.
They tested Ireland goalkeeper Noah Jauny straight from the kick-off, Guma forcing a save. Ireland responded when Rocco Vata was denied by De Castro; his shot from a narrow angle saved, having been played in Jad Hakiki.
Andorra were forcing themselves onto the hosts though and Guma again made Jauny work with a fiercely struck left foot effort. Some last gasp Irish blocks were required as the away side forced two corners back to back.
Eloy Casals' side were comfortable in the first half, enough that they were willing to play the ball short out from the back at goal kicks. It betrayed their status as group whipping boys - a young side who had lost their last three matches 0-7 on aggregate to Slovakia, Moldova and Kazakhstan.
Ireland were guilty of some wasted set piece deliveries in that period and Crawford cut a frustrated figure as he prowled the technical area in front of the West Stand.
The manager identified Liverpool's Trent Kone-Doherty as someone who might offer Ireland something different going forward from as early as the 35th minute with the teenager sent to warm up. Even before the break, Crawford was issuing instructions to the former Derry City youngster.
He entered the fray at the interval and would prove instrumental in the matchwinner. His darts at the Andorran defence were decidedly more penetrative than those of his teammates who had tried before. Now, Ireland had more urgency.
Less than 60 seconds after his introduction, Noonan scored but it owed much to the electric Kone-Doherty who picked up the ball deep in his own half and travelled 60 yards up field before cutting inside two defenders and squaring for Noonan.
The striker quickly got the ball out of his feet and lashed a powerful strike into the net from outside the area. The outpouring of emotion on the pitch, sideline and in the stands seemed to be borne more of relief than anything else.
Still, Ireland were fortunate to escape with victory. Rodrigo saw a goal-bound effort deflected behind and in injury time, captain Gerard Sola made a mess of a glorious close-range attempt to equalise.
Six points are secure but for the second time on Tuesday, it certainly wasn't pretty. At least the Under 21s have something to build on.
Republic of Ireland: Noah Jauny; Jacob Devaney, Sean Grehan, James Abankwah, Alex Murphy; Cathal McCarthy (Michael Noonan, 65), Jamie Mullins, Harry Vaughan (Trent Kone-Doherty, 46); Jad Hakiki (Darius Lipsiuc, 79), Rocco Vata; Mason Melia (Adam Murphy, 79).
Andorra: Marc De Castro; Marc Rodriguez (Guillem Acosta, 82), Biel Borra, Ian Olivera, Alex Cornella (Daniel De Sa, 82); Ot Remolins, Nil Boutarfas (Yedid Santaella, 76), Hugo Ferreira (Marc Torne, 90), Aron Rodrigo; Jun Guma; Gerard Sola.
Referee: Heini Ziskason Viðoy
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