The Republic of Ireland Men's Under-17s were held to a 2-2 draw by Belarus in their UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifier in Fredrikstad, Norway on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Luke Kehir and Chelsea’s Shaun Wade had Ireland on the verge of making it two wins out of two but a Tsimafei Simanenka finish with 13 minutes remaining earned the Belarusians a share of the spoils.

The young Boys in Green started this qualification campaign in impressive style as they defeated Armenia 4-0 last Thursday thanks to second-half goals from Romeo Akachukwu, Mason Melia, Naj Razi, and Jake Grante.

Ireland were hoping to carry that momentum into this match and they had the first genuine sight at goal in the 10th minute but Anthony Dodd could only send his thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty area just over the crossbar.

And against the run of play, Belarus would take the lead with 17 minutes on the clock following a swift and incisive counter-attack.

The Irish thought they had dealt with the danger when captain Turley produced an important tackle inside the box but Trafim Melnichenka was the first to latch onto the loose ball and he quickly squared it to Mark Mokin, who couldn’t miss from a few yards out.

Colin O’Brien’s side soon regrouped and shortly after Grante headed over from a corner, they levelled the scores following a brilliant team move that ended with Razi cleverly stepping over Dodd’s cross to allow Kehir to fire past the keeper from close range.

The Republic were fortunate not to fall behind again before the break as they needed O’Sullivan to hack the ball off the line from a goalmouth scramble before Matsvei Sakalouski rattled the bar from distance.

But at the beginning of the second half, they would complete the turnaround as Cory O’Sullivan latched onto Razi’s clever pass before pulling the ball back from the end line to the on-running Wade, who applied the finish from just outside the six-yard box.

But Belarus would make it 2-2 with just 13 minutes remaining when Simanenka rose highest to meet captain Ruslan Mialkouski’s cross and he expertly planted his header into the far corner of the net.

Ireland twice went close to snatching the victory late on with both chances falling to Nickson Okosun but after his first shot was saved at the near post, the Bohemians forward blasted over from a great position in injury time.

The Republic of Ireland will conclude this round of the qualifiers on Wednesday afternoon when they face the hosts Norway at the Sarpsborg Stadium with the action being streamed live on LOITV from 4 pm.

Republic of Ireland: Healy; Babb, Turley, Grante, O’Sullivan; Dodd (Mooney 78), Negry-McGrath, Razi; Wade (Akachukwu 78), Melia (Orazi 62), Kehir (Okosun 70).

Belarus: Veratynski; Belaus, Baranok, Fedorovich (Markevich 46), Matsvei Sakalouski; Liukevich (Cherniauski 46), Artsiom Sakalouski, Sakhonchyk (Shauchenka 61), Mokin (Simanenka 72); Melnichenka, Mialkouski (Dzeviatsen 89).

Referee: Miloš Bošković (Montenegro)

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Round One fixtures/results (all kick-offs are Irish time)

Thursday, October 20 | Republic of Ireland MU17 4-0 Armenia MU17

Sunday, October 23 | Republic of Ireland MU17 2-2 Belarus MU17

Wednesday, October 26 | Norway MU17 v Republic of Ireland MU17, Sarpsborg Stadium, Norway, KO 4pm (Live on LOITV)