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Republic of Ireland U19s 0-2 Mexico U20s

Photos by Tom Beary

REPUBLIC of Ireland U19 side went down to two second half goals to suffer a friendly defeat at the hands of Mexico U20s at Dalymount Park this afternoon.

The Mexicans included players who have won FIFA U17 World Championship medals in recent seasons and were full value for their second victory over the Irish U19s in three days.

Paul Doolin’s side are preparing for the forthcoming UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round, which commences against Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on May 28.

Each side had a man sent-off by referee Neil Doyle although it was a game which could hardly be described as aggressive. Sam Byrne saw red for a clumsy challenge while Mexico’s Diego Pineda was also dismissed late on.

Pineda had come close to scoring with a spectacular scissors kick in the 17th minute then Diego Gama had over following a corner in the 24th minute.

Irish keeper Liam Bossin made a top class save to deny Pineda from close range in the 27th minute.

Gama headed the opening goal when he connected with a left wing delivery by Mauro Lainez in the 51st minute then Pineda headed the second Mexican goal in the 79th minute from a right wing cross by Jose Ramirez.

“It was another good workout for our side. Mexico are a top quality side and we will benefit from the experience,” said Doolin.

“I felt that we performed well enough in the first half but once they scored their first goal and we then had a man sent-off the task became that more difficult.

“We tried a couple of things this week and looked at players in different positions because the important things is to be ready for the UEFA qualifiers when we’ll only have 16 outfield players to work with so we need players who can play more than one role.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Liam Bossin, Noe Baba, Dan Cleary, Kyle McFadden (c), Dylan Barnett, Connor Dimaio, Colm Crowe, Jack Hallahan, Liam Kelly, Sam Byrne, Alan O’Sullivan. Subs: Thomas Mulroney for Dimaio 17 mins; Alex O’Hanlon for Hallahan 46; Dean O’Halloran for O'Sullivan 62; Seán Long for Baba 68; Bobby Moseley for Barnett 79.64;

MEXICO: Raul Gudino, Daniel Vazquez, Oscar Bernal, Carlos Robles, Oscar Suarez, Sergio Rodriguez Polido, Diego Gama, Victor Guzman, Diego Pineda, Mauro Lainez, Jose Ramirez. Subs: Alejandro Diaz for Guzman 64; Sergio Flores for Rodriguez Polido 64; David Avalos for Lainez 71; Kevin Gutierrez for Ramirez 85; Daniel Rios for Gama 87.