REPORT | MU19 | Late Slovakia goals down Ireland
Despite plenty of opportunities for Tom Mohan's side, the Slovakians struck two late goals from Artur Gajdoš and Adam Griger to secure the points despite a late Irish goal from Tommy Lonergan.
Mark O’Mahony had the first sight on goal for Ireland after some good work from Franco Umeh and Harry Vaughan that set the striker up but his effort went just over Adam Hrdina’s bar.
Moments later Slovakia had a chance to score as Tomaš Kachnič struck from the edge of the area, but his attempt failed to trouble Reece Byrne. Kevin Zefi forced Hrdina into a fine save after he latched onto a loose ball following some pressure from Umeh but he had just strayed into an offside position.
Zefi was to test Hrdina once again from a free kick as his effort was tipped over the bar, he was to deny Ireland again from the resulting corner with Sean Grehan forcing Hrinda to do well to save once more. O’Mahony had another opportunity following an excellent delivery from Sam Curtis. Still, his glancing header took a deflection en route to the goal that forced the ball wide for a corner. Slovakia had an opportunity to open the scoring late in the first half as Leo Sauer was left free at the back post but he couldn't direct his header past, Byrne.
Zefi had the best chance in the opening minutes of the second half as he broke down the left but dragged his shot wide at the far post. Gajdoš forced Byrne into a fine save as the Slovakian midfielder struck his effort from a distance with Byrne getting down well to save. Rocco Vata had an excellent opportunity to score following some good build-up from Justin Ferizaj as the second-half substitute’s half-volley had to be well saved.
Vata once again had a sight on goal as he broke from midfield however his low curling shot just went wide of the far post. Ferizaj was next to test the Slovakian defence with his effort blocked down following a through ball from Vata.
Slovakia would open the scoring in the 80th minute as they broke down the left with Ján Murgaš feeding a through ball to Gajdoš whose low effort snuck past Byrne at the near post. Slovakia scored their second goal late in added time as Nino Marcelli bore down on the Irish defence with his layoff to Griger seeing the forward take a touch to curl the ball past Byrne.
Tom Mohan's men were to get one back courtesy of Lonergan as a cross from Curtis was headed down across the face of goal by a Slovakian defender and Lonergan was on hand to steer it home from close range.
Republic of Ireland: Byrne (GK) Curtis, Goulding, Murphy, Grehan, McJannet (C) McManus (Gallagher 87), O'Mahony (Lonergan 84), Umeh (Vata 57), Vaughan (Ferizaj 57), Zef.
Slovakia: Hrdina (GK), Mičuda, Bagín, Svoboda, Gajdoš, Griger, M. Sauer (C) (Ovšonka 89), Kachnič, Murgaš, Úradník (Marcelli 58), L. Saurer (Mišovič 89)
Referee: Sander Van Der Eijk (Netherlands)
UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round Qualifier results/fixtures
Wednesday, March 22 | Ireland MU19 1-2 Slovakia MU19
Saturday, March 25 | Ireland MU19 v Estonia MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, KO 3.30pm (Live on LOITV)
Tuesday, March 28 | Ireland MU19 v Greece MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, KO 7.30pm (Live on LOITV)