Ireland Under 16 Head Coach Paul Osam led a 20 player squad to Serbia for a four nation development tournament this week.
Ireland commenced the tournament with a three two defeat by hosts Serbia on Tuesday afternoon. Ireland took a two goal into the half-time break with strikes from Naj Razi and Trent Kone-Doherty coming on 36 and 37 minutes. The second half belonged to the hosts who scored on 57 minutes and six minutes later they equalised. Ireland did create two good scoring opportunities but were unable to find the finishing touch and the hosts won the contest with a well struck free kick on 85 minutes.
Ireland will now face North Macedonia in the play-off for third place at noon on Thursday afternoon.
Team: Jason Healy; Sean Mackey, Cory O’Sullivan, Sean Hayden, Jake Grante; Daniel Negry-McGrath, Luke Kehir, Anthony Dodd; Trent Kone-Doherty, Naj Razi, Nickson Okosun
Substitutes:
Romeo Akachukwu for Negry-McGrath 65′
Shaun Wade for Kone-Doherty 72′
Taylor Mooney for Okosun 72′
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jamie Gamble (Shelbourne), Jason Healy (Waterford)
Defenders: Stan Ashbee (Hull City), Jake Grante (Crystal Palace), Sean Hayden (St Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Mackey (St Patrick’s Athletic), Adam O’Halloran (Galway United), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Rhys Bartley (St Patrick’s Athletic), Anthony Dodd (St Patrick’s Athletic), Luke Kehir (St Patrick’s Athletic), Gabriel Kelly (Manchester City), Daniel Negry-McGrath (Bohemian), Luke Nolan (Bray Wanderers)
Forwards: Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford), Trent Kone-Doherty (Derry City), Taylor Mooney (St Patrick’s Athletic), Nickson Okosun (Bohemian), Najemedine Razi (Shamrock Rovers), Shaun Wade (Chelsea)