Uefa Under-19 Championship/Ireland U-19 2 Hungary U-19 0: Late goals from Cillian Sheridan and James Ryan proved mere consolation for Ireland at United Park on Saturday night, as Germany did what they had to do to beat Bulgaria 2-0 at Belfield to clinch Group One and qualify for the finals in Austria in July.
Ultimately, Ireland's 1-0 loss to Germany, courtesy of a disputed penalty, at Dalymount Park last Wednesday proved crucial.
It's now five years since an Ireland youths side at under-17 or under-19 level have qualified for the Uefa finals.
"We were the best team all week," said manager Seán McCaffrey after his side inflicted a first defeat on Hungary in 17 games. "Apart from the first 20 minutes against Germany, we were on top all the time over the three games.
"We used the ball well and played good football and scored some good goals. I think that the standard of football we played was very high.
"I'm pleased with the boys for their effort, commitment and level of skill. We played good football all week, but we just don't seem to be able to get that little break to get us into the European finals."
Sheridan got on the end of Keith Treacy's deep cross from the right to head past Bence Somod on 84 minutes.
Treacy then brought a terrific, one-handed stop from the Hungarian goalkeeper minutes later as Ireland finished with a flourish. Ryan punished a poor clearance by drilling a shot to the net right on 90 minutes.
IRELAND: Henderson (Aston Villa); Madden (Leeds United), Lowry (Aston Villa), Spillane (Norwich City), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers); Judge (Blackburn Rovers), Bayly (Leeds United), Power (Nottingham Forest), Treacy (Blackburn Rovers); Sheridan (Celtic), Rooney (Stoke City). Subs: Downes (Everton ) for Rooney (60 mins), Ryan (Liverpool) for Judge (81 mins), Haverty (St Patrick's Athletic) for Bayly (90 mins).
HUNGARY: Somod; J Nagy, Pinter, Sipos, Vadnai; Gyomber, Filkor, S Nagy, Meszaros; Farkas, Nemeth. Subs: Debrecemi for Sipos (73 mins), Simon for Meszaros (81 mins).
Referee: B Duartepaixao(Portugal).
