Zak O’Sullivan scored the only goal for Ireland Men’s Under-19s in the first of two friendlies in against Albania in Durrës this week.

Tom Mohan’s were defeated 2-1 in a closely fought game between the teams with O’Sullivan, on-loan from Waterford with Fleetwood Town- netting in the equaliser with 15 minutes to go.

Ireland had trailed the game from the 36^th minute when Albania captain Huqi Mattia fired his country ahead.

Ireland got their way back into the game through the Fleetwood Town forward but Albania were awarded a penalty with three minutes of the game left to play.

Nuredini Xheto Joi made no mistake from the spot and he earned his team the victory.

Both teams face off against on Sunday morning.

Albania: Raffaele, Davide, Lucas, Fabjano, Samuele, Mattita, Xheto Joi (Bjorni, 89’), Gabriel (Tedi,66’), Andreas (Evangelos,72’), Rikardo (Brayan, 78’), Serxho (Leart, 65’)

Ireland: Schroeder, Kizenga (Mare, 62’), McGlinchey, Roche (Captain), Otegbayo, McEvoy (King, 62’), Lynskey (Byrne, 79’), Ochoa Moloney, Orazi, Egan, Brennan (O’Sullivan, 62’)

International Friendly Fixture/Result

Friday, October 10 | Albania 2-1 Ireland
Sunday, October 12 | Albania vs Ireland, Durrés, Albania, KO 10am*

*Kick-offs are Irish time.