Ireland Men’s Under-15s are through to the Semi Final of the Torneo Delle Nazioni competition in Italy after a 4-1 win over Macedonia.

Two goals from Desmond Armstrong, a strike from Tadhg Prizeman and a penalty from Joe Byrne set-up a semi-final against Austria on Monday.

Having beaten UAE 4-0 on Thursday confidence was high in the Ireland camp with Head Coach Jason Donohue making eight changes to the starting XI.

Just a few minutes into the game one of those introduced to the starting line-up made an impact. Armstrong got on the end of a cross to put his side ahead after three minutes.

Ireland were looking the most dangerous and it was only a matter of time before they made it two.  First Niall Sullivan had an effort from six-yards-out in the 11^th minute then ten minutes later Joel McPhail saw his attempt sail over the bar after the ball was squared to him from Joe Byrne.

But with half-an-hour on the clock, an in swinging free-kick found Tadhg Prizeman who was allowed time to control and finish for 2-0.

In the second half George Moloney was called into action after a long range attempt from North Macedonia forced the Southampton stopper into a smart save.

Byrne and McPhail linked up again, this time Shamrock Rovers’ McPhail heading just wide from more great wing play from Byrne.

North Macedonia struck back in the 48^th minute when Ahmed Sejdini found the net to give the Macedonians hope.

But that hope didn’t last long as Armstrong netted his second of the game when he got on the end of Niall Sullivan cross to give Ireland a two-goal cushion.

Joe Byrne wrapped it up from the spot in the 60^th minute after Armstrong was felled as Ireland scored four for the second consecutive game.

They play Austria on Monday in a repeat of last year’s semi-final in which Ireland won 1-0.

Ireland: Moloney, Prizeman (Spaight, 41), Sattell, Manjor, Burke (Quigley, 50), Collins (Ozhianvuna, 67), McPhail (Dumigan, 50), Sullivan (Spelman, 67’), Byrne (TJ Molloy, 71’) Ogungbe (Dunne, 50), Armstrong

North Macedonia: Grcevski, Atanasov, Mitreski, Jordanoski, Pertkovski, Stojkovski, Sejdini, Rakipi, Staleski, Georgieski, Petkov.
Substitutes: Stojanoski, Ljacka, Masev, Islamovijk, Cvetoski, Xhaferi, Mamuti, Rufati, Liotoski, Papalski, Denkovski

Torneo Delle Nazioni Fixtures/Results (All times are Irish times)

Thursday, April 25 | UAE 0-4 Ireland
Saturday, April 27 | Ireland 4-1 North Macedonia
Monday, April 29 | Ireland v Austria, KO 2pm, TBC
Wednesday, May 1 | Ireland v TBC KO & Location TBC