Ireland Boys’ Under-16s were defeated 4-3 on penalties in their opening game of the Victory Shield.

Ireland had led with 10 minutes remaining when Dundalk’s TJ Molloy had Ireland ahead but Oliver Goodbrand equalised minutes later sending the game to spot kicks.

Scotland’s Kerr Reynolds saved the decisive penalty to condemn Ireland to their first defeat in the competition since 2021.

Paul Osam’s team were coming into the tournament having won the two previous editions of the competition and off the back of a solid 2-2 away draw in Belgium.

They started the brighter of the teams with the opening 15 minutes dominated by the visitors. Desmond Armstrong went closest when he almost capitalised on a loose pass back which Armstrong latched onto but couldn’t quite convert.

Scotland came close just after the half-hour mark when a Alfie Hutchison free-kick was whipped into the box and Jack Dalziel’s header just flashed over the bar.

The hosts began to grow in the game and Max Cameron had a long-range attempt that just went over.

In the second half David Dunne threatened the Scottish goal which forced a good save from Reynolds.

Scotland stepped up a gear with Cameron having two great chances to give the home side the lead. But it would be Ireland who would break the deadlock. Substitute Molloy saw his steered header squeeze inside the post for 1-0.

The lead wouldn’t last long, Goodbrand converted an equaliser when he arrived at the back post to score past Darragh Brunton.

With the game ending in a draw it went to penalties, Molloy,  Jason Spelman, and Joe Byrne were successful for Ireland but Reynolds would be the hero as he made a save to win the shootout.

Scotland: Reynolds, McSporran, Goodbrand (C), Dalziel, Hamill, Meechan, Hutchison, Daly, Di Giacomo, Cameron, Cadamarteri. Substitutes: Vickery, Thomson, Weir, Wilson, Hutton, Forrest, McLaughlin, Haye, Dow

Ireland: Brunton, Gabbidon (Prizeman, 79'), Dempsey, Speight (C), Dumigan, Spelman, Sullivan (Molloy, 63'), Ferizaj (Collins, 41’), Byrne, Dunne, Armstrong (Ogungbe, 71’)

Ireland's Victory Shield Fixtures

Thursday, October 10 | Ireland v Cymru, Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, Scotland, kick-off 3.30pm

Sunday, October 13 | Northern Ireland v Ireland, Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, Scotland, kick-off 11.30am

Entry to the games are free of charge