The Republic of Ireland opened their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Kosovo at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina.

Despite an outstanding defensive effort and a series of world-class saves from Caoimhín Kelleher, the Boys in Green were undone by a late Vedat Muriqi strike.

For the opening fixture of the group, Heimir Hallgrímsson handed the captain’s armband to Dara O’Shea, while James Abankwah was named in the starting XI for his first competitive senior start. The match also marked a significant return for John Egan, starting for Ireland for the first time in three years, while teenager Owen Elding was introduced late in the second half to make his senior international debut.

The home side established dominance in the opening ten minutes, enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Their first major sight of goal came when Muriqi rose to meet a cross from the right, though his header was comfortably gathered by Kelleher. Ireland gradually grew into the contest, creating an opening in the 17th minute when Liam Scales delivered a dangerous cross that Kosovo keeper Arijanet Muric struggled to claim, though Ireland could not capitalise on the loose ball.

Kosovo remained a constant threat, and Muriqi went inches away from breaking the deadlock when a defensive clearance from O’Shea fell to the forward, whose first-time strike whistled just wide of the far post. Ireland responded with a slick attacking move of their own in the 22nd minute as Abankwah broke free down the right; his low delivery found Chiedozie Ogbene, but the winger’s first-time effort rose just over the bar.
As the half progressed, Ireland’s resilience was put to the ultimate test. In the 29th minute, a miskicked effort from Edon Zhegrova fell kindly to Muriqi. His goalbound strike beat Kelleher, but Jayson Molumby produced a heroic goal-line clearance to keep the scores level. O’Shea followed suit five minutes later, producing a brilliant block on the line to deny Arbër Hodža.

Kelleher then produced the save of the half in the 39th minute. A powerful header from Muriqi looked destined for the top corner, only for the Liverpool goalkeeper to show incredible reflexes, diving at full stretch to palm the ball away.

Ireland started the second half with renewed intent. Excellent play from Scales allowed Abankwah to cross to the back post for Troy Parrott, whose header forced a smart save from Muric. In the 54th minute, a whipped Finn Azaz free-kick was met by John Egan, but the defender could not quite direct his header on target.

The match remained on a knife-edge as it entered the final stages. Kelleher again proved his worth in the 81st minute, making a superb point-blank save after Muriqi had slipped behind the Irish defence.

However, Kosovo finally found the breakthrough just a minute later. A cross from the right was met by Ermal Krasniqi, whose powerful strike cannoned off the crossbar. Muriqi reacted quickest to the rebound, nodding the ball home from close range to give the home side the lead.

Kosovo threatened to double their advantage in the closing minutes, with Krasniqi firing wide after being played through by Muriqi. Kelleher was forced into two further saves to deny Krasniqi and Osmani before the final whistle, ensuring the deficit remained at one on a frustrating night in Pristina.

Kosovo: Muric (GK), Krasniqi, Dellova, Zhegrova (Rashica 72), Gallapeni, Zabergja (Krasniqi 72), Vojvoda, Muriqi (C) (Asllani 88), Hodža (Osmani 88), Hajdari, Avdullahu.
Subs not used: Bekaj (GK), Saipi (GK), Raçi, Avdyli, Matoshi, Rrahmani, Kacuri, Jashari.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Abankwah (Coventry 79), Scales (Manning 88), O’Shea (C), O’Brien, Molumby, Parrott (Idah 79), Knight, Azaz, Egan (Elding 88), Ogbene (Moylan 60).
Subs not used: Bazunu (GK), O’Leary (GK), Cannon, Kitching, Bagan, Vata, Phillips.

Booked: Molumby, Abankwah.

Player of the Match: Dara O’Shea

Referee: Lawrence Visser (BEL)