A second-half penalty condemned Ireland Men’s Under-17s to a 1-0 defeat to Belgium in their opening game of the Under-17 EURO Elite Phase Qualifiers.

PSV Eindhoven’s Noah Fernandez converted from the spot 11 minutes into the second half for the only goal of the game in a contest where Ireland had gone toe-to-toe with the Belgians.

Ireland were coming into the game off the back of a stunning 3-0 win over Scotland that saw them claim an Elite Phase. For Colin O’Brien’s team progression to the European Championship also carried the bonus of a spot at this year’s Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

And the young Irish side caused problems for their Belgian opponents with Billy Canny, Charles Akinrintayo, and Jaden Umeh all posing a threat.

Shamrock Rovers’ Alex Noonan produced a solid display to keep the game level at half-time but it would be a spot-kick that separated the sides in a performance that will give Head Coach Colin O’Brien pride heading into their next games against Poland on Saturday morning.

PSV Eindhoven’s Noah Fernandez converted from the spot 11 minutes into the second half for the only goal of the game in a contest where Ireland had gone toe-to-toe with the Belgians.

Ireland were coming into the game off the back of a stunning 3-0 win over Scotland that saw them claim an Elite Phase. For Colin O’Brien’s team progression to the European Championship also carried the bonus of a spot at this year’s Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

And the young Irish side caused problems for their Belgian opponents with Billy Canny, Charles Akinrintayo, and Jaden Umeh all posing a threat.

Shamrock Rovers’ Alex Noonan produced a solid display to keep the game level at half-time but it would be a spot-kick that separated the sides in a performance that will give Head Coach Colin O’Brien pride heading into their next games against Poland on Saturday morning.

Belgium: Mounganga, De Kimpe, Jonkers, Glelen, Darcon, El Adfaoui (Wamu Oyatambwe, 90’), De Cat, De Wannemacker, Fernandez (Sylla, 90’), Naert, Biswu

Ireland: Noonan, Canny, Finneran, Leonard, Sherlock (Lee, 90’), McDonagh, Martos, McDonnell (McMahon-Brown, 75’),  Umeh, Hayes, Akinrintayo (Tollett, 75’).

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers/Result

Wednesday, March 19 | Belgium 1-0 Ireland, 
Saturday, March 22 |  Poland v Ireland, Baltyk KoszalinKoszalin, Poland, KO 13:00
Tuesday, March 25  | Iceland v Ireland, Stadion Miejski im. Karola Kucharskiego, Gryfice, Poland, KO 13:00

*All kick-offs are Irish time