Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-16s drew 1-1 with Switzerland in the second of two friendlies between the teams in Spain this week.

Shamrock Rovers’ Daniel Mare gave Ireland a first-half lead before FC Basel’s Dion Cakolli netted a late equaliser for the Swiss at the Oliva Nova Sports Center.

Paul Osam made seven changes to the line-up that drew with Switzerland 2-2 earlier in the week. Matthew Moore again skippered the side with Malaga CF’s Anthony Ochoa Moloney making his first Ireland start.

Taking confidence from their performance on Wednesday, Ireland looked the more comfortable of the teams and they took the lead in the 19th minute through defender Mare.

In his first start at MU16 level, Mare found himself unmarked at the back post when Kyle Fitzgerald’s shot-come-cross went through a body of players leaving the fullback in acres of space to fire home past Jérôme Bieler.

Ireland controlled the pace of the game with Fitzgerald a continuous danger to the Switzerland backline. In the 42nd minute his attacking play drew a foul that resulted in a free-kick out wide. James Roche, who scored in the previous friendly, met the free-kick but couldn’t find the net with his header as it went harmlessly wide.

In the second half Switzerland looked for a way back in the game. In the 51st minute Ireland struggled to clear a free-kick and Kospo Eman’s goal-bound effort was blocked as the Irish defence held firm.

With 20 minutes remaining, Gjan Ajdin forced Joe Collins into a smart save following good link-up play on the edge of the area. Shortly afterwards Agon Rexhaj found himself on the end of loose ball from a corner but his attempt trickled just wide of Collins’ goal.

Ireland pushed for a second goal, and after great work by Jaden Umeh to recover the ball, Richard Vodo let fly, forcing Bieler into a brilliant save to his right.

But a minute after that chance, and with 81 minutes on the clock, Switzerland were level. Switzerland managed to break down Ireland’s left before crossing to Cakolli who, with his back to goal, controlled the ball before turning to fire past Collins for the equaliser.

That’s how the game finished with Osam’s team producing two fine performances in the two draws against their Swiss opponents.

Republic of Ireland: Collins, Mare, Caillcoe, Roche, Ring (Coffey, 87), M. Moore (C), O’Donnell (Vodo, 69), Mulligan, Ochoa Moloney (S. Moore, 77), Fitzgerald (Solanke, 69), Melia (Umeh, 77)

Switzerland: Bieler, Niedermann, Phiilippin, Kospo, Aguilar, Tairi, Turhan, Coric, Cassese, Guido, Moreno. Substitutions: Pecora, Sinanaj, Akahomen, Rufener, Ajdin, Cakolli, Tirpanci, Rau, Volken, Sommer, Santor, Rexhaj

Referee: Jose Manuel Rodriguez Lopez (Spain)

International Friendly Results
15.02.23 | Switzerland MU16 2-2 Ireland MU16
17.02.23 | Switzerland MU16 1-1 Ireland MU16