The Republic of Ireland’s Men's Under-16s suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in their first game of the Victory Shield competition as they lost out to Scotland in Belfast on Sunday afternoon.

Alfie Bavidge’s stunning strike just past the quarter of an hour mark proved to be the difference between the two sides and left Paul Osam's side with no reward for their hard work.

The Boys in Green were taking on a talented Scottish side, who are the joint holders of the silverware along with the Welsh from 2019, and they fell behind in the 16th minute when Bavidge grabbed what ultimately proved the be the only goal of the game.

The Aberdeen No 9 controlled the ball just outside the penalty area before unleashing a thunderous drive that found the net via the inside of the left post, which gave the goalkeeper absolutely no chance.

Ireland, who are hoping to win the competition for the third time, were inches away from levelling the scores in the 36th minute.

But after rounding the advancing keeper, Cillian Mullvihill was unfortunate to see his goalbound strike somehow headed off the line by the alert Scotland captain Bailey Rice.

That intervention proved to be decisive as although the Irish battled until the very end, they just couldn’t find an equaliser.

Najemedine Razi came closest to scoring late on but after skipping past three defenders his shot was saved by the feet of Scotland’s number one Rory Mahady.

Ireland’s next game in this competition is on Tuesday, October 19th when they take on Wales at Seaview with kick-off set for 15:00.

Scotland: Mahady, Campbell, Millar, Robertson, MacIntyre, Bavidge, MacLeod, Molotnikov, Ure, Rice, Hutton.

Republic of Ireland: Jason Healy, Mackey, O’Sullivan, Turley (Leo Healy 74), Kone Doherty, Dodd, Mullvihill (Mooney 49), Cannon (Okosun 49), Hayden, Kehir (Razi 65), O’Halloran.

Referee: Fintan Coyle.