Republic of Ireland Men's Under-15s were edged out 1-0 in a friendly defeat against Montenegro this afternoon.

A second-half goal by Vuk Vlahovic just before the hour mark was enough to win the game for the hosts in an even contest at the Montenegro FA HQ in Podgorica.

Ireland were the livelier of the two teams with Marven Chan and Ike Orazi on the lookout to create chances in early on in the first-half.

In the 24th minute Cathal O’Sullivan had a dangerous free-kick that just about avoided the head of Mason Melia and fell safely into the hands of goalkeeper Tomas Djurovic.

On the half-hour mark Orazi drove at the Montenegro goal and let fly but could only find the side-netting. It was the best chance for Ireland in a half of few chances.

At the break Head Coach Jason Donohue brought on Richard Vodo for Sean Moore and Christian Donlon-Goncalves for Kyle Fitzgerald.

The game came alive in the 53rd minute when Montenegro were through on goal but Jack Ellis pulled off a superb save to deny the hosts. From the kick-out, Luke Mulligan played a ball over the top that found Donlon-Goncalves who attempted to lift the ball over Djurovic but he was unable to find the target.

In the 57th minute Montenegro took the lead, Vuk Vlahovic latched onto a through ball and he was able to fire under the body of Ellis.

Montenegro went on the hunt for a second and Ellis was able to save at the feet of Vlahaovic as he began to have a greater influence on the game.

Ireland had one final chance in the match late on when Donlon-Goncalves forced Djurovic into a fine save but that was to be the last chance and the game ended in defeat.

Montenegro: Djurovic (GK); Globarevic, Djukic, Aksabanovic, Mugosa, Martinovic (C), Kruscic, Vladhovic, Patricevic, Balevic, Knezevic.
Substitutions: Markaic (GK), Jokic, Durkovic, Bastrica, Maras, Feratovic, Vlahovic, Vukmanovic, Kostic, Stjepovic, Babovic

Republic of Ireland: Ellis (GK), Mare (Harnett 75), Gwiazdowski, Mulligan, O’Sullivan, Moore (Vodo, 41), Dignam (O’Donnell, 52), Chan, Fitzgerald (Donlon-Goncalves, 41), Orazi (Boruc, 50), Melia.

Republic of Ireland Men's Under-15 squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bray Wanderers), Jack Ellis (Shamrock Rovers)

Defenders: Olaf Boruc (Shamrock Rovers), Hugo Gwiazdowski (Shamrock Rovers), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford FC), Daniel Mare (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Marven Chan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Kian Dignam (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Moore (Bohemians), Luke Mulligan (Dundalk), Luke O’Donnell (Derry City), Cathal O’Sullivan (Cork City), Richard Vodo (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

Forwards: Christian Donlon-Goncalves (Mayo SL), Kyle Fitzgerald (Galway UniteD), Darragh Marshall (Shamrock Rovers), Mason Melia (Bray Wanderers), Ike Orazi (Shamrock Rovers)

International Friendly Results
Thursday, 21 Septsmber | Montenegro MU15 0-2 Ireland MU15
Thursday, 23 September | Montenegro MU15 1-0 Republic of Ireland MU15