Two international debut goals by UCD’s Ben Mahon weren’t enough to prevent Ireland Boys Under-16s going down 2-3 to Finland in a friendly at the FAI National Training Centre, Abbotstown this afternoon.

Both sides had to battle with extreme weather with 40 mph gusts and -4C wind chill playing a huge factor in the game. But it would be the visitors who came out on top in an entertaining game in Dublin 15.

Finland were ahead after nine minutes when Jay De Nascimento curled a fine effort into the bottom corner. Ireland didn’t let the goal impact them and were back on the front foot. Mahon’s cross flashed across the face of goal and with Joe Byrne ready to tap home but Finland’s Samuel Heikari cleared from underneath the cross bar.

The Irish equaliser would come four minutes before half-time. Excellent footwork from Byrne saw him get into a great position for his shot. His attempt however could only be parried into the path of Mahon to tap home the equaliser.

And Mahon’s day would get better when he showed great feet to find space before applying a curled strike beyond Elias Lahti in the Finnish goal right on half time.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Finland were level. A stray pass was collected in midfield and Otto Paananen calmy finished for the equaliser.

Mahon had a chance for his hat-trick when he was put through on goal but his effort was hooked off the line as Finland kept the game level.

That piece of defending would prove vital as the Finnish again took the lead. De Nascimento hitting his second of the game with 20 minutes remaining. It would be a goal that proved to be the winner and both team meet again on Friday.

Ireland: Brunton, Gabbidon, Prizeman, Speight (C), Dempsey (Burke, 46’), Spelman (McGrath, 77’), Sullivan (Molloy, 77), Ferizaj (Quigley, 69’), Dunne (Keoghan, 69’), Byrne, Mahon (Harpur, 69’).

Finland: Lahti, Kroupkin, Heikari, Kangasniemi, Malinen, Kaasik, Mäkeläinen, De ascimento, Korkala, Koivuranta, Nyback (C) Substitutes: Niityvirta, Barrett, Paananen, Kesonen, Kuusniemi, Valkealahti, Virnes, Mendolin, Meltoranta, Mahmood, Zaberxha.

Referee: Paddy Roche (Ireland)