It was a difficult night for the Ireland Men’s Under-17s after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Northern Ireland in Belfast.

An own goal, four minutes into the game, and two second-half goals condemned Ireland to the loss.

Michael Noonan was on target with a late consolation but it means that they require a win over Scotland on Monday and Northern Ireland to beat Lithuania to qualify for the Elite Phase.

Colin O’Brien knew he was facing a tough test against Northern Ireland, who overcame Scotland 3-1 in their previous game.

Rory Finneran, Jaden Umeh and Muhammad Oladiti all came into the line-up at Seaview, replacing Ramon Martos, Brody Lee and Billy Canny.

But Ireland got off to worst possible start when Oisin McDonagh turned into his own net after four minutes.

The hosts looked the brighter of the teams and Alex Noonan was called into action as the livewire Paul McGovern looked to cause Ireland problems.

It would be around the half-hour mark the visitors grew into the game. Grady McDonnell rose highest and won his header but it cannoned off the post of Finn McDonnell in the Northern Irish goal.

In a stop-start first-half there was no opportunity for Ireland to get a foothold in the game and they went in behind at half-time.

Nine minutes into the second half it was 2-0. Ceadach O’Neill produced a tidy finish to double the North’s lead. And with 67 minutes on the clock Cead McGrath headed in to make it 3-0 and to make it a near impossible task for Ireland.

Michael Noonan saw a headed attempt easily saved by Finn McDonnell but the St. Patrick’s Athletic striker wouldn’t be denied, when he eventually netted from close range with 10 minutes remaining following a set-piece.

With seconds remaining Cillian Tollett had an effort that narrowly flashed past the post but it wasn’t to be for Ireland who take on Scotland in Larne next.

Ireland: A.Noonan, Oladiti (Leonard, 59’), McDonagh (C), Sherlock, Solanke, McDonnell, Finneran (Martos, 73’), Brown (Ogbonna, 59’), Hayes (Lee, 46), M. Noonan, Umeh (Tollett, 73’)

Northern Ireland: F. McDonnell, McCann, Leacock, N.McDonnell, Gamble, Burns, Savage (C), Watson, O’Neill (Atherton, 76’), McGovern (Kerr, 68’), Feeney (Hamilton, 76’)

Referee: Stefen Ebner (Austria)

Ireland’s Group 8 UEFA European U17 Championship Qualifiers/Result

Tuesday, October 29 | Ireland 2-2 Lithuania
Friday, November 1 | Ireland 1-3 Northern Ireland
Monday, November 4 | Scotland v Ireland, Inver Park, Larne, Northern Ireland, KO 3pm