Ireland Boys Under-16s were edge out in a five-goal thriller in Szprotawa in the second of two friendlies between Poland this week.

A Corey Fay wonder-strike and a deflected goal from Josh O’Dwyer weren’t enough for Jason Donohue’s team who went down 3-2.

Having won Monday’s game between the sides 1-0  Ireland were coming into the game with confidence. But they got off to the worst possible start when they found themselves 1-0 down inside two minutes. Kornel Brzozka was given room inside the box and allowed to fire into the roof of the net to give his team the lead.

In the 18^th minute it got worse for Ireland when Alfie Bedlow attempted to intercept a cross but put the ball into his own net for 2-0 to the hosts.

But not to be perturbed Ireland were back in it in spectacular fashion. Shamrock Rovers’ Corey Fay collected the ball on the right wing, cut inside on his left and after avoiding a challenge he let fly with his left foot and found the top corner.

Ireland picked up their momentum in the second half. They had a penalty claim turned down in the 60^th minute when it appeared captain Brzozka clipped Bobby Zeller inside the penalty area but the referee waved away the decision.

Shortly after, Zeller saw his attempt on goal tipped over the bar as Ireland went in search for an equaliser.

But the hosts would restore their two-goal cushion in the 67^th minute when Igor Mak fired past Seb Clarke with a well-taken volley.

In the 74^th minute Ireland made it 2-3. O’Dwyer’s left-footed attempt struck the inside of the post then the defender before crossing the line.

Ireland went on the attack in search of an equaliser, Archie Quinn and Sheikhan Alijabir put in a number of dangerous crosses but neither could find the an Irish player to convert.

With an equaliser in sight, Ireland again had another penalty appeal waved away when Adrian Rascau appeared to be pulled down by his man deep into injury time.

It would end 3-2 to Poland with both sides claiming a win each across the week.

Poland: Fojut, Suchodol, Kowalksi, Frankowicz, Brzozka, Andrzejowicz, Fialkowski, Mrowinski, Fojut, Szymanski, Swiatek, Jakubowski: Substitutes: Olszysn, Zuchora, Mak, Mazan, Bakhno, Bochenek, Kwiecinski, Bialocki, Gawronski.

Ireland: Clarke, Nolan (Daly, 74’), Afonin (Mashall, 74’), Bedlow (McKeown, 46’), Nicholls, Zeller (Rascau, 74’), Collins, Lowry (O’Dwyer, 60’), Morrall (Alijabir, 74’), Fay (Kelly, 74’), O’Donnell (Quinn, 60’).

International Friendly Results

Monday, September 22 | Poland 0-1 Ireland
Thursday, September 25 | Poland 3-2 Ireland