The Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-15s got off to the perfect start in the UEFA Development Tournament in Croatia with a 2-1 win over Cyprus today.

Second-half goals from St Patrick’s Athletic’s Michael Noonan and Shamrock Rovers’ Brody Lee turned the game on its head with Ireland battling back from a one-goal deficit.

It was a first foray into international football for Jason Donohue’s 2008-born internationals wiith Ade Solanke of Shamrock Rovers given the honour of captaining the side. He was one of 16 EA Sports National League of Ireland players selected in the 20-player squad.

But they would soon understand the challenges of international football when Cyprus went 1-0 ahead following a tidy finish into the bottom corner on the half-hour mark.

Almeria’s Ramon Martos was Ireland’s biggest threat in the first half with the youngster driving on attacks from midfield. However, St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Luke Cullen was called into action just before the break pulling-off a fine save to deny the Cypriots going two ahead.

This would prove a vital moment as in the second period the game would turn on its head.

At half time Donohue introduced Lee and early in the second half he was brought down inside the box for a penalty. Noonan stepped up to take and scored but the referee ordered a re-take and Noonan was equally accurate with his second spot kick to make the game 1-1.

In the 71st minute Lee completed the turnaround when a goal mouth scramble saw the striker get the final touch to give Ireland a 2-1 lead.

It would ultimately be the game’s winner.

Ireland are now set to take on Spain on Friday morning.

Republic of Ireland: Cullen, Oladiti, Solanke (C) (Doyle,67), Costello (McDonnell, 41), McDonagh, Martos (O’Connell, 56), McGrath, Finneran, Kovalevskis (Umeh, 41), M. Noonan (Tollett, 56), Hayes (Lee, 41)

Cyprus: Leonidou, Christofi, Tsivikos, Konstantinidis, Thomas, Kittou, E. Georgiou, Hadjyiyannis, Charalampous, Avraam, Kontopoulos.

Substitutes: Christodoulou, Theodorou, Ntorzis, Propcopiou, K. Gerogriou, Stylianou, Savva, Theodosiou, Rossos

Referee: Tin Debogović (Croatia)

UEFA Development Tournament results/fixtures (all kick-offs are Irish time)

Wednesday, October 19 | Republic of Ireland MU15 2-1 Cyprus MU15

Friday, October 21 | Republic of Ireland MU15 v Spain MU15, Velika Gorica, Zagreb, Croatia, KO 10am

Monday, October 24 | Croatia MU15 v Republic of Ireland MU15, Velika Gorica, Zagreb, Croatia, KO 10am