A goal in the final minute of time saw Ireland Men’s Under-17s go down 2-1 to Czechia in the first of three friendlies in Prague this week.

Ireland had led through Jaden Umeh, who fired home from the spot, half-way through the first half. The Benfica striker had won the penalty himself and he put the ball to the goalkeeper’s right for 1-0.

Nicolas Stehik levelled the scores three minutes into the second half when he was able to pick out the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

But it would be a goal deep into stoppage time that would undo Ireland. The referee awarded a corner after the Irish goalkeeper was adjudged to have held the ball longer than eight seconds. As per the new rules, a corner was awarded and Jonas Topic got on the end of the corner to convert the ball in the net.

Next up for O’Brien’s side is Switzerland on Friday evening.

Czechia: Paar, Skokan, Tupec, Prazik, Syrovatka, Sochurek, Jadrnicek, Potmesil, Janega, Vanek, Skrkon. Substitutes: Franc, Kovar, Hendericks, Topic, Linhart, Hruska, Hajek, Palascak, Stehlik, Novak, Tomek.

Ireland: Moloney, Solanke (Spaight, 46’), Leonard (Butler, 46’), Cullen, Hayes (O’Connor, 77’) Ozhianvuna (Lee, 56’), Finneran (McDonagh, 46’) (C), McAteer (Martos, 46’), McMahon Brown (Ogbonna, 72’), Umeh, Akinrintoyo (O’Neill, 46’)

International Friendly Fixtures/Result
Wednesday, September 3rd | Czechia 2-1 Ireland
Friday, September 5th | Ireland v Switzerland, Stadium Mnichovo Hradište, Czechia, KO 16:00
Sunday, September 7th | Türkiye v Ireland, Stadium Mnichovo Hradište, Czechia, KO 10:00
 

*Kick-offs are Irish time