Republic of Ireland Men's Under-19s kicked off their friendly double header with Slovakia with a frustrating 1-0 defeat at the MOL Academy, Dunajská Streda,as preparations begin for next season's Under-19 EURO qualifiers.

With younger players having a valuable opportunity to stake a place in the squad ahead of next year and those slightly older provided with a good chance to impress Under-21s boss Jim Crawford, Ireland put on a dominant display in large parts but were just edged out in a narrow victory.
 
The two sides last met nearly a year ago to the day, with Slovakia narrowly beating Ireland 2-1 at Ferrycarrig Park and one of the survivors from that game, the James McManus looked to set the tone for his side, moving the ball sharply as both teams made a rather cautious start to proceedings.
 
And it took until nearly a quarter of an hour for either side to have the first attempt of the game. Ireland were let off the hook by the hosts when Adam Oravec looked to have clip the outside of the near post, having brilliantly controlled a long ball over the top.
 
This sparked the young Boys in Green into life and began to pile numbers forward. Both Jake Grante and Sean Moore linking up well on the right-hand side and skipper, McManus, had a volley from the edge of the area well blocked. 
 
Grante carried a massive threat and looked the most likely option to create danger for Ireland, continuing to race forward at every opportunity whilst on the opposite flank the stubborn Slovak rear-guard were sharp in closing down the enigmatic Naj Razi.
 
But frustratingly for Tom Mohan’s charges it was the home side who eventually made the breakthrough seven minutes before half-time. Zeleziarne Podbrezova attacker Andy Masaryk showed quick feet to find a yard of space in the box, before feigning to shoot and eventually reversing his low strike into the bottom corner. 
 
Ireland tried desperately to level and on the stroke of half time thought they were in on goal as Razi drifted inside before slipping a clever through pass substitute Lipsuic, but just as Stoke City youngster was about to pull the trigger, the onrushing Juventus stopper, Jakub Vinarcik forced him wide.
 
Waterford midfielder Romeo Akachukwu began to drive his side forward from the middle and minutes after the restart Ireland were guilty of wasting a glorious chance to equalise.
 
In the swirling blustery wind Bohemians man McManus tried to bend an effort to the far post - from slightly left of the area - before the ball eventually found its way to Stanley Ashbee at the back post, but on the stretch the defender agonisingly failed to keep his strike on target.
 
Just after the hour mark, Franco Umeh was next to be denied by Vinarcik as the pressure continued to ramp up. The powerful front man showed great pace to burst down the right before cutting inside, and with the angle against him, saw his shot well saved.
 
The visitors were marauding into the final third at will but, much like the under-17 counterparts earlier in the day, just failed to put the final touches to some nice moves as the sands of time slipped through their fingers.
 
Slovakia thought they had caught the Irish side with a sucker punch on the break as Jakub Murko finished from close range, but thankfully for Tom Mohan’s men the substitute had strayed into an offside position, following a top class save by Conor Walsh. 
 
Late McManus and Umeh strikes from the edge of the area, that were dragged disappointingly wide, was the best Ireland could muster in the closing stages, And thwarted by a resolute Slovak backline the clock eventually got the better of the Republic who on another day could had gotten at least a draw.
 
The talented young group will have a chance to impress again, and put things right when they face off again on Tuesday.
 
Slovakia: Jakub Vinarcik, Timotej Hranica, Adam Oravec, Zoran Zahradnik, Micheal Svoboda, Mate Mihalyi (Jakub Murko, 58’), Tadeas Hajovsky, Milan Simon Rehus (Lukas Mikulaj, 80’), Daniel Prekop, Adrian Fiala, Andy Masaryk

Ireland: Conor Walsh, Sean Moore (Killian Cailloce, 69’), Stan Ashbee, Lewis Temple, James McManus, Naj Razi, Romeo Akachukwu, Franco Umeh, Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh (Darius Lipsuic, 22’), Cory O’Sullivan, Jake Grante
 
Referee: Matej Choren