UEFA Under-19 Elite Phase Qualifiers/Republic of Ireland 2 Hungary 0:Ireland got the win they set out to collect against Hungary last night but their quest to reach the European Championship was ruined by Germany's victory over Bulgaria.
Cillian Sheridan put Sean McCaffrey's side ahead with five minutes left before James Ryan fired a tremendous second goal on the stroke of full-time.
Ireland needed Germany to drop points against Bulgaria to keep their qualification ambitions intact but goals from Dennis Schmidt and Sidney Sam inside the first half an hour gave the Germans the result they need to conclude the pool as winner.
Ireland had been left frustrated for most of the match by their lack of finishing prowess but Sheridan, making his first start of the three-game series, was on hand to break the deadlock on 85 minutes.
Keith Treacy was the architect of the goal, skipping inside on the right side before delivering a deep cross into the box where Sheridan connected with a downward header from twelve yards which flew past Hungary goalkeeper Bence Somodi.
The Irish had finally unlocked a resolute Hungary defence and they managed to do it for a second time in the 90th minute when Liverpool midfielder James Ryan added a second goal.
On as a second substitute, Ryan scored his first goal of the season with a clinical long-range shot after the Hungarian defence could only clear a cross into the schemer's path on the edge of the box.
Sheridan, Adam Rooney and Simon Madden have all had chances to open the scoring for Ireland in the first half.
Hungary, for their part, looked dangerous on the break but Ireland's creativity in the midfield area through the industrious Robert Bayly ensured they controlled most of the exchanges.
IRELAND: Stephen Henderson (Aston Villa), Simon Madden (Leeds United), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Michael Spillane (Norwich City), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers) — captain, Alan Judge (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Power (Nottingham Forest), Robert Bayly (Leeds United), Cillian Sheridan (Celtic), Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers), Adam Rooney (Stoke City).
SUBS: Aidan Downes (Everton) for Rooney (60 mins), Jimmy Ryan (Liverpool) for Judge (80 mins), Noel Haverty for Bayly (90 mins)
HUNGARY: Somodi, Sipos (Debrecemi 73 mins), J. Nagy, S. Nagy, Filkor, Nemeth, Gyomber, Meszaros (Simon 80), Vadnai, Pinter, Farkas.
REFEREE: B. Duartepaixao (Portugal)
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