Second-half goals from Franco Umeh and Mark O’Mahony secured the Republic of Ireland Under-17s an impressive win against a talented Mexico side in their friendly international at Turner’s Cross on Sunday evening.

Ireland trailed at half-time following Alexei Dominguez’s clever strike but superb close-range finishes from Cork natives Umeh and O’Mahony saw the Republic win the first match of their double-header with the Mexicans.

Around 1,000 local spectators took the opportunity to attend the game having been provided with free tickets but it was the away side who celebrated the opening goal in the 14th minute.

With their first genuine sight at the target, Mexico scored when the excellent Alexei Dominguez raced onto a long ball over the top of the defence before expertly clipping it past the advancing goalkeeper Conor Walsh and into his far bottom left corner.

Ireland twice went close to finding the net themselves during an entertaining first 45 but Kevin Zefi fired low at the goalkeeper following good work by Rocco Vata before Sam Curtis sent a free header wide of the back post with half-time approaching.

In between those efforts, Mexico twice went close to doubling their lead but Juan Pablo Palma looped his header onto the top of the net before Dominguez sent a curler from distance drifting inches wide of the top right corner.

Colin O’Brien’s side started the second half brightly and they soon grabbed an equaliser when Cork City’s Franco Umeh rose highest and headed the ball into the back of the net in front of his local supporters in the famous Shed End.

And another City man scored the winner late in proceedings as substitute Mark O’Mahony followed his clubmate’s example and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner when through on goal.

The sides will meet again at Turner’s Cross on Tuesday afternoon (kick-off is at 12 pm) which will be Ireland’s final game before their UEFA Under-17 European Championship qualifiers begin in Cork in October.

Republic of Ireland: Walsh, Browne, O’Brien, Curtis, Heffernan, Ferizaj, Zefi (Kone Doherty 89), McManus, Vata, Umeh (O’Mahony 69), McLoughlin (Nolan 69).

Mexico: E Ochoa, D Ochoa, Lopez, Contreras, A Dominguez (Oliva 89), Benitez (Ariztia 71), Padilla (Ramirez 63), Jurardo (J Dominguez 63) Carrillo, Soto, Palma (Delgado 71).

Referee: David Keeler (Ireland).

Fixtures – International Friendlies

Tuesday, September 7 | Republic of Ireland U17 v Mexico U17, Turner’s Cross, Cork. KO: 12pm