Ireland Boys Under-16s got off to a strong start in their friendly series in the Netherlands after beating Denmark 2-0.

A goal in each half from Cillian Phillips and Corey Fay was enough to earn the young Boys in Green the win in Hattem.

Ireland started the brighter of the two teams Fay whipped in a dangerous cross in the 12^th minute that just evaded the front line and three minutes later debutant Seanàn Fisher saw his low drive pushed wide for a corner.

In the 18^th minute Shelbourne’s Fisher struck the woodwork with a header from a Fay cross and Ciaran Daly couldn’t convert from the follow-up.

Fisher again had an opportunity to score but the Danish goalkeeper Aske Storm Rasmussen was equal to the attempt that resulted in a corner.

But just before half-time Ireland were ahead. Daly managed to win possession before driving at the Danish defence, the then squared to Shelbourne’s Phillips to apply the finish.

In the second half, Ireland doubled their lead. Daly again was involved, he intercepted a pass back to the goalkeeper and lined up Fay to tap into an empty net in the 57^th minute.

Ireland are back in on Sunday when they face Sweden in Zeist.

Ireland: Byrne, Nolan (C), Fitzsimons, Corbally, Okorie, Zeller (Lowry, 74’), Phillips (Collins, 61’),  Grace, Fay, Daly (McColgan, 65’), Fisher.

Denmark: Rasmussen, Haaning, Johansen, Juul Larsen, Døssing, Haugen (C), Møller Sørensen, Naur, Hjort-Pedersen, Salgado, Bak. Substitutes: Korup (GK), Thorup, Andersen, Vestergaard, Thorsted, Vinther, Ayorinde, Lindberg, Nordentoft, Riis.

International Friendly Result/Fixtures

Friday, April 10th | Ireland BU16 2-0 Denmark BU16
Sunday, April 12th | Ireland BU16 v Sweden BU16, KNVB Campus, Zeist, Netherlands, KO 18:00
Tuesday, April 14th | Netherlands BU16 v Ireland BU16, VV Hattem, Hattem, Netherlands, KO 13:30 

*All kick-off times are Irish