Republic of Ireland Men's Under-16s got their Victory Shield campaign off to a winning start with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Wales.

Bray Wanderers' Joe Collins was the hero as he saved two Wales spot-kicks with James Roche firing the winning penalty home.

The 80-minute contest had finished 2-2 with Elliot Myles netting twice for Wales and Richard Vodo and Matthew Murray with the goals for Ireland.

Collins, Mason Melia and Ike Orazi were named in the Starting XI having been part of Colin O’Brien’s Men’s Under-17s squad that qualified for the U17 EUROs Elite Phase – Melia netted in a 4-0 win over Armenia.

It was the visitors who started the game the brightest. They took the lead in the 10thminute after Myles raced through to fire home into the bottom right-hand.

But two minutes later Ireland were level. Murray delivered a perfect cross that Vodo rose highest to head beyond goalkeeper Logan Stretch.

The game became an open affair Wales almost regained the lead when Adam Brett got into a dangerous position and fired across goal which somehow missed Collins and went behind.

For Ireland, Ike Orazi was a thorn in Welsh side, the Shamrock Rovers forward looked dangerous every time he got into his stride and this would be a theme throughout the game.

But Wales regained the lead in 34th minute, Myles provided a superb finish as he cut in on his left and curled the ball home beyond Collins.

In the second half Ireland started on the front foot Harnett got down the right and flashed a cross in front of goal but no-one in a green shirt could prod the ball home.

Mason Melia had a glorious chance on 52nd minute after Orazi beat his full back and drove the ball across into the six-yard box but Melia’s effort somehow went wide from close range.

A minute later Murray saved Melia’s blushes when his 30-yard effort skipped off the surface to beat Stretch in the bottom left-hand corner.

Kyle Fitzgerald had a great chance in the 69th minute when he raced through on goal but Stretch redeemed himself with a fine stop.

With minutes remaining Josh Salmon misjudged the flight of the ball Orazi took him on and flashed his cross across goal.

That would be the last big chance in the 80-minute contest as the game went to penalties.

Collins made a superb save to deny Wales' first spot kick from Allen to give Ireland the advantage.

Ronnie Gorman, Luke O'Donnell, Orazi and Egor Vassenin were all successful but Stretch saved Darrafgh Marshall's spot-kick Collins then denied Isaac Davies and it left it to Roche to win it for Ireland.

Republic of Ireland: Collins, Harnett, Graminschii (Vassenin, 33), Roche, O’Donnell, Matthew Moore (C), McAndrews (Gorman, 80), Vodo (Moore, 72), Orazi, Murray (Fitzgerald, 64), Melia (Marshall, 64)

Wales: Stetch, Kapakio (Davies, 74), Ifans (Clarke, 50), Bradbury, Walker-Smith, Salmon, Stevens (Gardner, 41), Myles (Higgins, 74), Allen, Popham, Brett (Gentles, 55)

Referee: Aaron O'Dowd

2022 Victory Shield Fixtures/Results
Sunday, October 30

• Republic of Ireland MU16 2-2 Wales MU16 (Ireland win 5-4 on penalties)
• Northern Ireland MU16 1-3 Scotland MU16

Tuesday, November 1

• Republic of Ireland MU6 v Northern Ireland MU16, Tramore AFC, Tramore, KO 7pm
  Tickets are available from Tramore AFC and priced €5 for adults with entry for U16s free
  
• Scotland MU16 v Wales MU16, RSC, Waterford, KO 2pm

Friday, November 4

• Republic of Ireland MU16 v Scotland MU16, RSC, Waterford, KO 2pm
  Tickets are available at the turnstiles and priced €5 for adults with entry for U16s free
  
• Wales MU16 v Northern Ireland MU16, Tramore AFC, Tramore, KO 11am