The Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-16s were edged out by Norway 2-1 in the final game of their friendly series in Spain.

A superb finish from Freddie Turley had given Ireland a lead at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia but a resurgent Norway side rallied in the second period and goals from their captain Sindre Walle Egeli and Fanuel Temesgen Tewelde were enough to earn them the victory.

The Boys in Green had already defeated the Norwegians 3-0 last Monday thanks to strikes from Turley, Luke Kehir, and Taylor Mooney but they were looking to bounce back following their 3-0 loss to Spain last Wednesday.

In the 29th minute, the Irish took the lead as great work down the right-hand side by Najemedine Razi allowed him to lay the ball off for Shamrock Rovers’ Freddie Turley, who expertly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

They would remain in front until shortly after the half-time break but Norway upped the tempo after the restart and quickly snatched an equaliser with Sindre Walle Egeli applying the finish from close range.

And Norway completed the turnaround moments past the hour mark when Fanuel Temesgen Tewelde fired the ball past the keeper.

Ireland pushed for a leveller until the very end but were unable to find the equaliser their play deserved.

Republic of Ireland: Healy (Hogan 90), Mackey (O’Halloran 62), Hayden, Queally, Turley, Razi, McCarthy (Dodd 50), Kehir, Negry-McGrath (O’Sullivan 50), Patton (Mulvihill 63), Okosun (Cannon 63)

Norway: Staer-Jensen, Hammer Kjelsen, Ronne Borset, Heredia Randen, Jama, Subdbo Pettersen, Temesgen Tewelde, Herman Bjurstrom, Voster Botnen, Grindhaug, Walle Egeli

Referee: Ojaos Valera.