Ireland Men’s Under-19s had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Moldova in their opening Under-19 EURO Qualifier.

The young Irish side will rue a missed chance to win the game when Cian Dillon saw his penalty saved deep into injury time.

To add salt to the wounds, Jacob Devaney was given a second yellow card in the aftermath of the penalty save when he appeared to be felled inside the area.

A head of the game Head Coach Tom Mohan had warned about the danger of Moldova and after four minutes the hosts could have been ahead when Bogdan Musteatâ rounded goalkeeper Marcus Gill and with the goal gapping fired wide.

This sparked Ireland into life and Romeo Akachukwu had a long-range sighter after 17 minutes and the livewire, Trent Kone Doherty , saw his attempt strike the foot of the post five-minutes later as the young Boys in Green looked to find the break through.

In the second half it was complete domination from Ireland who controlled the game.

They had to get past a stubborn Moldova rearguard and in the 59^th minute Nickson Okosun showed great forward play to turn his man and fire off a shot which was well saved by Serghei Obiscalov.

Ike Orazi was introduced to add to the attacking threat and the Stade de Reims winger danced his way through the Moldovan defence only to see his attempt smothered and Ireland denied.

Then came a huge chance for Ireland. Akachukwu patiently held the ball before putting his cross on a plate for Kone Doherty, but the Liverpool winger didn’t make full contact with the goal at his mercy and it trickled wide.

Deep into injury time came the moment of the game. Orazi was felled by St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Ivan Graminschii. Dillon was brave enough to step up and take but Obiscalov guessed the right way and the ball was cleared. With the ball still bouncing around the penalty area, Devaney appeared to get in front of his man and felled. But instead of awarding a second penalty, referee Jan Petrik awarded a free out and gave Devaney a second yellow as Ireland were reduced to 10 men.

Tom Mohan’s team go again on Saturday morning.

Ireland: Gill, Devaney, Turley (C), Ashbee, Cory O’Sullivan, Morley, Akachukwu, Razi (Ochoa Moloney, 74’), Cathal O’Sullivan (Orazi, 65’), Kone-Doherty, Okosun (Dillon, 74’)

Moldova: Obiscalov, Graminschii, Tap, Pascari, Andreciu (C), Mardari, David, Musteatâ (Mosneagu, 78’), ,Sprinsean, Sava (Sirbu,70’), Sula (Chabban, 78’ (Roga, 90’)

Referee: Jan Petrik (Czechia)

Ireland’s UEFA European Under-19  Championship Qualifiers / Result (All kick-offs are Irish time)

Wednesday, November 13 | Ireland 0-0 Moldova
Saturday, November 16 | Ireland v AzerbaiJan, Zimbru 2, Chisinau, Moldova, KO 10:00
Tuesday, November 19 | Iceland v Ireland, Zimbru 2, Chisinau, Moldova, KO 11:00