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Rep of Ireland Under 17's 1-1 Switzerland Under 17's

Dara O'Shea put in a tremendous performance as Ireland and Switzerland played out a second 1-1 draw in their series of games in Waterford this week.

The Swiss went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Nedim Bajrami fired home from the penalty spot after Giotto Morandi had been fouled.

Ireland levelled in the 56th minute when Colm Walsh-O'Loghlen's corner was flicked on and Dara O'Shea bundled the ball home after a goal-mouth scramble.

In the 64th minute O'Shea came to Ireland's rescue when he cleared off the line from a header by Swiss captain Kreshnik Hajrizi after a Morandi corner.

Rep of Ireland Under 17's 1-1 Switzerland Under 17's

The home side which included former SKB players Dara O'Shea Thomas Byrne and Lukas Browning came racing out of the blocks in the opening minutes of the game with most of the play happening down the flanks in the visitors half of the pitch. The game was a friendly, but only in name with some tough tackling from both sides in the early stages.

The first real chance of the game fell to the Swiss on five minutes. A low cross from the right hand side didn’t look like it would trouble the Irish defence, but the clearance from centre back Declan Rice cannoned off the foot of the on-rushing Andi Zequiri and skimmed along the slippery surface, just wide of Mark Travers’ left hand post.

The opening goal came on 20 minutes. A surging run through the middle from winger Stephen Mallon, followed by a pin-point pass to the feet of skipper and local boy Jayson Molumby and he had no problem in calmly dispatching his chance in front of an elated home crowd.

Ireland didn’t settle for their one goal lead. Right back Canice Carroll continued to torment the visitor’s defence, tirelessly bombing down the right hand side breathing life into the already dominant Irish side.

The home side almost doubled their advantage on 28 minutes. A quick free kick on the right hand side was cleared by the visitors, but only to the feet of Stephen Mallon at the edge of the area, who sent a curling effort just wide of the post. Ireland went in at the break with a one goal advantage.

The second half began with both teams producing some smart play in the middle of the park, but without threat to either goalkeeper.

After settling in to the second half, Ireland took the game by the scruff of the neck and picked up where they left off in the first. Two troubling crosses from the right hand side got the better of the visitors’ defence, but both chances went a begging.

Switzerland themselves had a good chance to pull level. Some intricate passing at the edge of the area led to a chance for midfielder Bastian Toma, who sent his driven shot from the edge of the area whistling over the bar.

After offering little threat to Ireland throughout the game, the visitors pulled level on 58 minutes. Winger Baris Cagras cut in from the right hand side and unleashed a low, driven effort from 18 yards which found its way past Mark Travers at his near post.

Switzerland got a great burst of confidence after their equaliser, and almost took the lead just two minutes later. A free-kick whipped in from the right hand side fell at a nice height to substitute Kreshnik Hajrizi, who’s acrobatic effort went inches over the bar.

Jayson Mulumby went close to doubling his tally for the evening on 66 minutes. He picked the ball up in a crowded penalty area, smartly beat his man, but could then only place his low effort wide of the far post.

Both sides went in search of a winning goal in the final minutes of the game, but neither could strike the decisive blow, with the game finishing honours even.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Mark Travers, Canice Carroll, Tyreke Wilson, Dara O'Shea, Declan Rice, Daniel McKenna, Lee O'Connor, Jayson Molumby, Anthony Scully, Thomas Byrne, Stephen Mallon. Subs: Michael Murphy for Mallon 65 mins; Aidan Keena for Byrne 74; Lukas Browning for McKenna 74; Colm Walsh-O'Loghlen for O'Connor 74.

SWITZERLAND: Lars Hunn, Nicolas Herter, Petar Pusic, Bastien Toma, Andi Zeqiri, Nedim Bajrami, Bryan Mallo, Baris Cagras, Fabio Quintoles, Timo Ribeiro, Baba Souare. Subs: Kenith Catari for Quintoles 56; Kreshnik Hajrizi for Ribeiro 56; Noah Blasucci for Souare 56; Izer Aliu for Cagras 68; Mersim Asllani for Bajrami 68; Giotto Morandi for Toma 68.