Northern Ireland’s amateur international team narrowly lost to the Republic of Ireland in a UEFA Regions’ Cup qualifier today.
Their second game in the intermediate round (Group 4) of the Regions’ Cup competition was against Munster FA (representing the Republic) in Switzerland.
Northern Ireland enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the game, and created good chances, but Munster ran out 2-1 winners at Centre Sportif de Colovray in Nyon.
Team manager Harry McConkey made four changes to the side that started the first Group 4 game against Swiss side Vaud, which they lost by a goal to nil.
In came keeper Dylan Doherty, defender Tiarnan Campbell, midfielder Darren Robb and attacker Ethan Nethery, while dropping to the bench were keeper Gareth Muldoon, defender Aaron McLaughlin, midfielder Gary McFadden and attacker Nick Palmer.
Western Region are representing Northern Ireland in the competition for the first time since 2016 – after winning a play-off game against Eastern Region earlier this year.
Northern Ireland keeper Dylan Doherty was called into action as early as the third minute, saving from Edmond O’Dwyer, while attacker Reece Byrne had a shot blocked before midfielder Ruairi Boorman steered an effort wide.
Jamie O’Sullivan came close for Munster before Doherty kept out an effort from Patrick O’Donoghue.
Down the other end Robb tested Munster keeper Gary Neville, while Reece Byrne had a shot blocked.
The game swung from end to end. Next Munster midfielder Conor Kilgannon had a shot blocked and O’Sullivan missed the target.
However, Munster opened the scoring with their next attack, with O’Dwyer finding the net on 28 minutes.
Republic defender Christopher McCarthy shot wide before Western Region enjoyed a spell of pressure.
In the closing stages of the first half Ruairi Boorman went close, Neville saved an effort from winger Darragh Byrne, striker John Butcher’s drive drifted wide and Reece Byrne had a shot blocked.
Northern Ireland continued to be in the ascendancy after the break.
Captain Nathan Sherry guided an effort wide on 55 minutes but just two minutes later the defender made no mistake as he netted an equaliser. Sherry got on the end of a Niall Fielding corner and duly steered the ball into the back of the net.
Doherty kept out efforts from O’Dwyer and substitute Eoin Murphy before Murphy’s corner was swept home by another sub, defender Adam Delurey, to make it 2-1 to the Republic on 75 minutes.
Northern Ireland continued to press but could not fashion a clearcut opening to enable them to draw level.
The result means McConkey’s side can no longer qualify for next summer’s Regions’ Cup finals.
Today’s other match in Group 4 saw Vaud defeat Football School Bridge (Georgia) by three goals to nil.
Vaud and Munster, who drew their opening game against Football School Bridge, will now battle it out on Sunday for a place in next year’s finals.
The final game for McConkey’s side is also on Sunday (27 October) when they will take on Georgia at 4pm CET/3pm UK time.
Afterwards the Northern Ireland manager said: “After a frantic start we settled well and played very good football and I thought we dominated the ball. To find ourselves 1-0 down at half-time was a travesty. Their goal was a gift.
“We scored a great set-piece goal to make it 1-1 and we had all the momentum. Sadly we then conceded a needless corner kick and defended it very poorly.
“I am proud of my lads’ bravery on the ball and how hard they worked to dominate the play, but we failed to convert two great chances and then got stung with two horrible goals.
“We have grown into this tournament in terms of performance and we must stay positive as we look forward to the final game in the group.”
Munster: Gary Neville, Jake Dillon, Cian Murphy, Christopher McCarthy, Adam Lipper, Roy Kenny, James Carr (captain), Conor Kilgannon, Patrick O’Donoghue, Jamie O’Sullivan, Edmond O’Dwyer.
Substitutes: (used) Ewan Lee, Nathan Broderick, Conor Coughlan, Adam Delurey, Eoin Murphy; (unused) Craig Dunphy (GK), Luke Walsh.
Northern Ireland: Dylan Doherty, Tiarnan Campbell, Niall Fielding, Nathan Sherry (captain), Tiarnan Boorman, Ruairi Boorman, Darragh Byrne, Darren Robb, John Butcher, Reece Byrne, Ethan Nethery.
Substitutes: (used) Nick Palmer, Jonathan McLean, Gary McFadden; (unused) Gareth Muldoon (GK), Aaron McLaughlin, Matthew Callaghan, Robert McLean, Gary McFadden.
