IT WAS a day of double disappointment for the Republic as Brian Kerr's youths followed the fate of the Irish under-15s and lost the second game in the four-nation tournament 2-0 to Portugal in Oporto yesterday.

Ireland's cause was not helped when John Andrews (Coventry City) was sent off after 14 minutes for a foul. Despite being a man down, they held the Portuguese until the 65th minute. The home side scored their second goal just three minutes from the finish.

The Republic of Ireland under-15s lost 4-3 on penalties after their match with Russia for a place in the quarter-finals of the Montaigu tournament in France ended scoreless at the end of normal time.

Keith Foy (Kilnamanagh), Dave McMahon (Tolka, Rovers) and Graham Barrett; (Kilnamanagh) scored from Ireland's first three penalty kicks to stay level with the Russians but then Jim Goodwin (Tramore) and Brendan McGill (Rivervalley Rangers) missed.