The Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19s slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Denmark in their final game of a mini tournament in Portugal.

This was a game that could have swung for either team, such was the competitive nature of the contest, and it was Denmark who claimed the victory in the end.

In terms of effort, shape, game-plan, technique and bravery, Dave Connell could hardly fault his players but they missed a cutting edge when it mattered most.

That is something that this team can add to their game with the amount of talent that is amongst their ranks ahead of their UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship qualifiers in October.

It was scoreless at the interval with the best chance coming on 14 minutes when Ellen Molloy saw her shot from distance hit the post as it looked to have beaten the opposition goalkeeper.

The second period was a scrappy affair and both teams were relieved to have a waterbreak just past 70 minutes as the Lisbon heat beat down from above.

Denmark eventually made the breakthrough when Nikoline Dudek rose up to meet a free-kick delivery and head into the net past substitute keeper Savanna Duffy.

The second goal came deep into added time when a deflection ended up in the path of Signe Markvardsen and she wasted no time in firing in.

Ireland will be disappointed with the loss, but there were many stand-out peformances and plenty for Connell to review as this team moves forward.

Republic of Ireland: Auskalnyte (Duffy 71); Kinnevey, D Doherty, Stapleton, Brennan; Slevin (Reynolds 85); McLaughlin (Lynch 71), Devaney (Mangan 60), Molloy, Brown (E Doherty 85); Watkins.

Denmark: A Andersen; Dudek, Jusjong, Hammer, Fisker; V Andersen, Rylov, Bech, Ostenfeld; Hagihara, Rhode.

Referee: Sofia Gama (Portugal).