Under-19 Friendly international Rep of Ireland ... 0 Portugal ... 1The Republic of Ireland under-19 side were unlucky to lose out to an impressive Portuguese team in an intriguing friendly international played at Belfield last night.

Seán McCaffrey's side created plenty of chances, but could find no way past Portugal goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

James McCarthy was unlucky to see his first-minute volley from a Donal McDermott cross deflected just wide.

And McDermott then created a golden opportunity for James Berrett from the resulting corner, but the Huddersfield Town player shot over from just six yards out.

The Irish fell behind in the 12th minute when Carlos Pita fired home following a corner by Andrien Silva.

Silva had been denied by goalkeeper Shane Redmond, who had made a decent save for the initial corner.

Substitute Shane Lowry was denied an equaliser in the 58th minute when Lopes got down well to save his low strike.

And Lopes then made a spectacular catch to keep out a deflected effort by Brendan Moloney, after the defender showed great footwork to carve out an opening in the 79th minute. The visiting goalkeeper produced his final impressive save of the night when he kept out a powerful strike by Peter McMahon in the 83rd minute.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Redmond; Moloney, Spillane, Haverty, O'Toole (Earls71), McCarthy (McMahon 71), Fitzgerald, Berrett (Lowry 46), Byrne (Lynch 46), Daly (Corcoran 71), McDermott.

PORTUGAL: Lopes; Fernandes, Pinto, Pita, Lima, Cruz, Ribeiro (Santos 65), Silva (Hugo 46), Ferreira (Rosado 46), Rabiola (Matias 46), Carvalhas (Rainho 87).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).