Updated at 18.43
IRELAND U21s had to be content with a 1-1 draw against Luxembourg in Dudelange today.
The result follows on from their opening qualification win away to Bosnia.
Ahead of the game, Jim Crawford handed full debuts to 16-year-old Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, Bohs midfielder Dawson Devoy and Cardiff defender Joel Bagan.
Both sides struggled to get going amid a scrappy first half, though Will Ferry and Tyreik Wright both went close for Ireland.
Then, just after the half-hour mark, the Boys in Green earned a penalty after Ferry was brought down in the box. Having converted in Zenica, Tyreik Wright stepped up again, but this time, the Aston Villa youngster could not find the net, with Lucas Fox making the save.
Ireland made changes in the second half, and it swiftly paid off. Shortly after being introduced, UCD’s Colm Whelan found the corner of the net from the edge of the area with a superb low strike with 21 minutes remaining.
However, in the 81st minute, another penalty was awarded, this time against Ireland, with Newcastle youngster Oisin McEntee penalised for the infringement and Dylan Kuete made no mistake from the spot.
Ireland pressed for a winner in the dying stages, but it wasn’t to be, as the hosts picked up their first point of the qualification campaign.
The teams will meet again for Ireland’s next match at Tallaght Stadium on 8 October.
Boss Jim Crawford said afterwards: “It was fantastic for Colm [Whelan] to come on and score a brilliant goal with his left foot – he’s been doing that all week in training.
“We had a spell after the goal when we were in control but they still remained dangerous on the break. They scored to make it 1-1 with a penalty but it’s a draw and perhaps takes the gloss off a fantastic Bosnia performance.
“We’ll have to dust ourselves off and get ready for the next international window.”
Luxembourg: Fox; Schmit (Sacras, 77), Olesen, D’Anzico; Ikene, Latic, Medina (Turping, 77), Osmanovic, Erkus (Torres, 77), Bernard (Kuete, 54), Curci (De Oliveiria 85).
Republic of Ireland: Maher; O’Connor, McEntee, O’Brien, Bagan; Coventry © (Johansson, 81), Kilkenny, Devoy (Noss, 81); Ferry (Moran, 67), Wright, Ferguson (Whelan, 67).
Referee: Loukas Sotiriou (Cyprus)
