Ireland Men’s Under-19s went down 3-0 to Finland in the opening game of the Under-19 EURO Elite Round Qualifiers in Germany.

A goal inside the first five minutes followed by two goals after half time condemned Ireland to defeat in their Group 6 encounter in Wolfsburg.

Ireland found themselves behind early on when Matias Siltanen’s free-kick found the back of the net in the fourth minute. 

The young Irish team rallied with Aaron Ochoa-Moloney, Romeo Akachukwu and Stanley Ashbee all going close to an equaliser but could find no way past Osku Maukonen in the Finland goal.

Ireland were the team on top heading into the break as Finland held onto their slender lead, but 10 minutes into the second half Finland doubled their lead with Djoully Nzoko finding the target for 2-0.

In the 65^th minute it was 3-0 to the Finnish as Pyry Mentu got himself on the scoresheet.

Tom Mohan’s side continued to push and Trent Kone-Doherty and Ike Orazi all had attempts but it would be Finland who would claim the three points.

Ireland will look to bounce back on Saturday morning against Slovenia.

Finland: Maukonen, Puukklo, Kanagsniemi, Simojoki, Lahteenmäki (Toivonen, 70’), Ruoppi, Siltanen (Mendolin, 80’), Mentu, Nzoko (Helen, 71’), Kirilov, Vaukonen (Huovila, 66’)

Ireland: Cooney, Turley, Grante, Ashbee, Keogh, Devaney (Morley, 64’), Akachukwu, Razi (Orazi, 64’), Ochoa-Moloney (Okosun, 75’), Kone-Doherty, Noonan (Dillon, 75’)

 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers/Result

Wednesday, March 19 | Finland 3-0 Ireland
Saturday, March 22 | Ireland v Slovenia, Sportzentrum Windmühlenberg, Wolfsburg, Germany, KO 10:00
Tuesday, March 25 | Ireland v Germany, Drömlingstadion, Wolfsburg, Germany, KO 14:00

*All kick-offs are Irish time