Ireland Boys Under-16s fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat to hosts Poland in their opening UEFA Development Tournament clash at the Municipal Stadium Kętrzyn, Poland.

Paul Osam's side got off to the perfect start with Joe Byrne firing Ireland in front after just 83 seconds following a swift counter-attack with UCD's Ben Mahon providing the assist.

The lead however was short-lived with Poland's Kajetan Fal leveling proceedings in the 4^th minute. After an even opening 15 minutes with little to separate the sides, Poland took the lead on 19 minutes when Gabriel Lis-Zielinski headed home from a corner to give the hosts the lead at half-time.

Ireland twice came close to an equaliser after the break when Leighton Dempsey's long-range effort was tipped over by the Polish 'keeper before some excellent last ditch defending denied both Joe Byrne & Dundalk's TJ Molloy from close range.

Poland battled hard to regain a foothold & were rewarded with a moment of brilliance from Zachary Zalewski as he embarked on a winding run before curling in a third from outside the box after 62 minutes.

The Young Boys in Green began to dominate as Poland looked to see out proceedings & halved the deficit on 85 minutes when substitute Josh Harpur capitalised on a defensive mix up. 

Osam’s side continued to push for a late leveller, but it would be Poland who would hold on for the victory.

Ireland will look to bounce back in their clash with Canada on Thursday.

Poland: Kuba (GK), Lis-Zielinski, Sambou, Cecula (C), Ziarkowski, Zalewski, Kurcharski, Szywala, Hancko, Fal, Berkowski. Substitutes: Zolneczko (GK), Czyzio, Smyrak, Bartczak, Plocica, Moskaluk,Siedlaczek,Janyszka, Kilmkiewicz, Kobosz.    

Ireland: Brunton (GK), Gabbidon, Dempsey (Burke, 76'), Spaight (C), Prizeman, Spelman, Sullivan, Byrne (Dunne, 76'), Molloy (Tetteh, 66'), Quigley, Mahon (Harpur, 76').
 

Ireland Boys Under-16 Squad

Goalkeepers: Darragh Brunton (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Finn O’Leary (Wexford FC).

Defenders: Danny Burke (Shamrock Rovers), Leighton Dempsey (UCD), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmö FF), Josh O’Connor (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Tadgh Prizeman (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).

Midfielders: Curtis Egan (Bohemians), Richard Ferizaj (Bray Wanderers), Tom McGrath (Cork City), Kian Quigley (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Jason Spelman (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Niall Sullivan (St. Patrick’s Athletic).

Forwards: Joe Byrne (St. Patrick’s Athletic), David Dunne (Cork City), Josh Harpur (Bohemians), Ben Mahon (UCD), TJ Molloy (Dundalk), Noble Tetteh (Shamrock Rovers).

UEFA Development Tournament Fixtures/Result (all kick-offs are Irish time)

Tuesday, May 13 | Poland 3-2 Ireland
Thursday, May 15 | Canada v Ireland, Municipal Stadium BKS  Tecza Biskupiece, Poland, KO 13:00
Sunday, May 18 | Ireland v Egypt, Municipal Stadium Kętrzyn, Poland, KO 09:00