Northern Ireland’s Under-15 team produced an impressive performance against a strong Hungary team but in the end had to settle for a draw.
Competition
UEFA U15 Development Tournament
Scoreline
Hungary U15s 1-1 Northern Ireland U15s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Michael Mulholland (pen)
Venue
Municipality Stadium, Liopetri
Date
29 November 2024
Team News
Northern Ireland U15s head coach Michael McClean made five changes to the side that defeated hosts Cyprus in the Under-15s’ opening game of the four-team tournament.
In came goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney along with Preston McKeown, Alfie Pollock, Jay McCafferty and Logan McKnight. They replaced goalie Matthew Belshaw, Jude Crawford, Alfie Mulvenna, Padai O’Kane and Lukas Doherty.
The players in the Northern Ireland squad are all part of the Irish FA’s JD National Performance Programme.
How it happened
Despite a good start to the game Northern Ireland found themselves a goal down after five minutes through a powerful strike from 20 yards that left Northern Ireland goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney with no chance.
Northern Ireland were not fazed by the early setback and continued to cause Hungary problems, especially in wide areas where Mason Ayre and Logan McKnight were a constant threat down both flanks.
However, they could not make any of their good moments count and went into the interval trailing to the early goal.
Half-time: Hungary U15s 1-0 Northern Ireland U15s
In the second half Northern Ireland dominated the game for long spells.
In the opening period of the second half they were camped in the Hungarian half, with Adam Nelson and Liam Kelly causing a lot of problems driving forward from the midfield area.
Eventually the pressure told when Northern Ireland were awarded a penalty after a Hungarian defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Michael Mulholland stepped up to calmly convert the spot kick and claim his third goal of the tournament.
Northern Ireland continued to push for a winner as the half progressed but were frustrated by a resolute Hungarian defence.
Northern Ireland thought they had got the winner late in the game when substitute Jay Forsythe showed some neat footwork down the left before unleashing a rasping shot which narrowly flashed past the far post.
That proved to be the last chance of the game and both teams had to settle for one point. A penalty shootout was played out for a bonus point. Hungary won it 4-3.
McClean’s team will be back at the Municipality Stadium in Liopetri on Monday (2 December) for their final game of the development tournament. Kick-off time for the encounter with Finland, who lost to Cyprus in their second game, is 11am local time.
Full-time: Hungary U15s 1-1 Northern Ireland U15s
Northern Ireland starting line-up: Phoenix Blayney, Preston McKeown, Alfie Pollock, Daniel McCarron, Daniel Patterson, Jay McCafferty, Adam Nelson (captain), Liam Kelly, Mason Ayre, Logan McKnight, Michael Mulholland.
Substitutes: Jacob Sawyer, Jude Crawford, Alfie Mulvenna, Bailey Magee, Daniel Hashim, Jay Forsythe, Odhran McHugh, Padai O’Kane.
