Hello and welcome along to a historic day in the history of Irish football.
Ireland’s U17 World Cup campaign begins today as the Boys in Green qualify for the tournament at this age for the first time. It’s a throwback to Brian Kerr’s Malaysian Marvels who finished third in the U20 World Cup in 1997.
And now, some 30 years on, head coach Colin O’Brien leads the Class of 2025 into action in Qatar.
Ireland take on Panama today at 12.30pm in Doha. The game is live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ Player, and we will be bringing you through all the action too.
As always, we want to hear from you so get in touch in the comments below. We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly.
Republic of Ireland: Alex Noonan; Oisin McDonagh, Vinnie Leonard, Ryan Butler, Ade Solanke; Rory Finneran, Kian McMahon-Brown, Ramon Martos; Michael Noonan, Jaden Umeh, Max Kovalevskis.
Panama: Adamir Aparicio; Anthony Ramos, Joseph Pacheco, Shayron Stewart, Hector Brias; Pablo Aranda, Estevis Lopez, Gerson Gordon, Jossimar Isturain, Edgardo Tovares, Moises Richards.
5 Nov
12:16PM
Before kick-off, take a look at this preview from our own David Sneyd
And we’re off in Doha. It’s very hot today but there’s nice gathering of Irish supporters over in Qatar for the occasion.
5 Nov
12:32PM
1 min: Ireland 0-0 Panama
It looks like Ireland are setting up with a 4-3-3 formation as they win a free-kick on the far side. Rory Finneran to take.
5 Nov
12:34PM
3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Panama get the first corner of the game but Alex Noonan gets up to claim the ball and get Ireland moving again.
5 Nov
12:35PM
4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Ireland put on the squeeze as Panama try to build from the back. Finneran is then penalised for what looked like a legitimate challenge and Panama retrieve possession.
5 Nov
12:36PM
5 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Panama break away quickly but a misplaced pass across the penalty area comes to the foot of Ramon Martos and Ireland kill off the danger.
5 Nov
12:39PM
8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Panama advance down the right flank again but Ireland get the numbers back and intercept the ball. A quick counter ends up down at the Panama box and a half chance comes to Jaden Umeh but the goalkeeper gets out in time to end the move.
Umeh then gets on the ball again and draws a clear foul in an inviting position. Finneran steps up again.
5 Nov
12:41PM
9 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Ade Solanke whips the ball in off his left boot and it comes to Umeh but the angle is too tight. Good start from Ireland. They’re enjoying a lot of the possession and look likely.
5 Nov
12:43PM
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Chance for Panama.
A ball in over the top tries to find Joseph Pacheco but Noonan is alert to get off the line in time and snuff out the danger.
5 Nov
12:43PM
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Ireland win a corner and Solanke is heading over to swing the ball in.
5 Nov
12:46PM
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Before the corner takes place, the referee runs in to scold the players on the pushing and shoving.
He comes back in again and Kian McMahon-Brown is among the players to receive a warning.
Solanke eventually gets to send the ball in but Ireland are penalised and it’s a free to Panama.
Jaden Umeh times his jump perfectly to meet Rory Finneran’s corner and drive his header into the net and give Ireland the lead.
It’s most deserved after a period of sustained pressure and brilliant play. Umeh was giving Panama problems already with his speed and footwork, and now he has given Ireland an early lead.
5 Nov
12:51PM
And here is the goal in all its glory.
Benfica's Jaden Umeh puts the Republic of Ireland 1-0 up against Panama in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup clash in Doha.
Oh, Jaden Umeh is having a day. He uses that pace to get in behind again and manages to get his toe on it but his shot blazes wide of the post. He was so close to his second of the day to double Ireland’s tally.
Colin O’Brien’s side continue to dominate in the first half.
5 Nov
12:54PM
23 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Another ball in behind opens up the play for Ireland. Finneran, who has also been excellent, sets up the chance but Panama survive this time.
5 Nov
12:56PM
25 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Solanke boots the ball forward and tries to link up with Michael Noonan. But Noonan commits a foul and Panama can breathe again.
Panama then get a chance on the edge of the box, but Vinnie Leonard gets his body in front of the shot to block the ball away.
5 Nov
12:59PM
27 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Panama enjoy their best passage of play. They spread the ball out wide to Moises Richards who takes on Solanke and then attempts a shot at goal but Noonan reacts well to deflect the ball out for a corner.
5 Nov
1:00PM
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Pacheco gets forward again for Panama but good defensive work from Oisín McDonagh to win the ball back. Panama are growing more into this game and responding well after conceding the goal.
5 Nov
1:01PM
30 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Water break in the very hot Qatar weather.
5 Nov
1:03PM
32 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Back underway after cooling off.
5 Nov
1:04PM
33 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
CROSSBAR!
Another massive chance for Ireland. A long ball from Leonard finds Noonan in over the top and Noonan’s volley looked like it was going into the roof of the net. But he’s denied by the woodwork. That long ball game is working well for Ireland.
What a brilliant goal from Ireland, and that was surely coming.
After Noonan clattered the bar, they kept the pressure on and continued to bombard Panama, finally getting that second goal via the boot of Kian McMahon-Brown.
Ramon Martos teed up the shot for him and it was a precise finish to double Ireland’s lead.
5 Nov
1:11PM
Hat tip to Max Kovalevskis too for creating the opportunity with a lovely touch before squaring the ball to Martos.
It's 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland as Kian McMahon-Brown finishes well after some great play.
Play stopped for an injury to Pacheco. But it looks like he is ok to carry on. Earlier, McMahon-Brown came close to a second goal when he tried one from distance but the ball just cleared the bar.
5 Nov
1:17PM
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
SO CLOSE!
Noonan almost makes it 3-0. McMahon-Brown puts him through and after pulling the ball out wide at the edge of the box, Noonan goes for it and tries to find the bottom corner.
The goalkeeper gets a paw to it though and it’s out for a corner.
5 Nov
1:17PM
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
We’re into the three minutes of injury time.
5 Nov
1:19PM
48 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Panama get in for a chance just before half-time but credit to Solanke who gets in with a well-timed challenge to nick the ball away.
They’re 2-0 up but really, it should be a lot more. They’re bossing this game although Panama did sneak in for late chance just before the break. But Solanke, who has been lively to any danger throughout the first half, got in with a vital tackle.
Otherwise, it has been all Ireland in the first half. Jaden Umeh gave them the lead in the 17th minute from a set-piece, getting his head on a corner from Rory Finneran. And Kian McMahon-Brown completed Ireland’s brilliant period of pressure with a well-taken goal in the 34th minute.
Ireland create the first chance from the kick-off and win a throw.
5 Nov
1:36PM
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Panama then win a throw and Martos then commits a foul.
5 Nov
1:40PM
51 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Panama hold possession before a well-timed slide from Solanke puts the ball out for a throw.
Panama come again but have backed themselves into a corner and are struggling to find a gap. They’re being pushed back into their own half of the field again.
5 Nov
1:41PM
52 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Martos concedes a free to Panama in a very dangerous spot at the edge of the box.
5 Nov
1:42PM
53 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
They go direct with the shot but Noonan is more than equal to the attempt.
5 Nov
1:45PM
55 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Very scratchy start to the second half. Obviously, Panama are trying to bring some urgency to the game and Ireland have been sloppy at times but Panama are lacking a lot of threat.
Michael Noonan finally gets his name on the scoresheet, and provides Ireland’s third of the game.
It’s a brilliant header as he’s reaching back. But he keeps his head down to direct the ball into the net.
It comes just moments after Umeh unleashed an absolute meteor into the top corner from the edge of the box. But his superb shot was ruled out for offside.
No such officiating intervention could prevent Noonan’s goal from being counted though.
Goal number four. And this time it’s Max Kovalevskis. He battles for possession in the Panama area. And despite taking a fall, he leaps back up, pushes the ball ahead of himself to create the space and keeps his shot low.
Ireland can now send in the reinforcements: Max Kovalevskis and Kian McMahon-Brown are replaced by Victor Ozhianvuna and Grady McDonnell.
5 Nov
1:55PM
65 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Panama could have a penalty here. The referee is reviewing a potential handball by Ryan Butler.
The RTÉ commentary team are convinced it’s not a penalty.
5 Nov
1:55PM
66 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
And the referee agrees!
No penalty for Panama and Ireland can keep their clean sheet on course.
5 Nov
2:03PM
74 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Victor Ozhianvuna does well to intercept a Panama attack and retain possession for Ireland.
5 Nov
2:05PM
76 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Another water break as the pace of the game starts to drop. Ireland will surely make some more changes to get their starters in and rested.
5 Nov
2:09PM
80 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Into the final 10 minutes as Ireland run the bench again: Ramon Martos and Ade Solanke are off and Gavin McAteer and Sean Spaight come in.
5 Nov
2:11PM
81 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
SAVE!
Umeh gets in again on the far side. No offside flag this time but his shot is saved this time. He just can’t seem to get that second goal.
5 Nov
2:13PM
84 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Brilliant chance for Panama as substitute Angel James gets in behind. He checks back inside Leonard but there’s a slight hesitation and his shot is deflected out for a corner.
5 Nov
2:14PM
85 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
WIDE!
Panama come close again. And it’s Pacheco who tries to curl it in with his left. It’s a super shot but he can’t get it on target.
Ireland are still cruising but they’re fortunate not to have conceded anything too.
Panama deservedly get their goal and Moises Richards delivers as Ireland are far too loose again. It won’t be enough to get a result but for all their intent in the last 10 minutes, they have earned that goal.
Ireland get their U17 World Cup off to a winning start in Qatar. Goals from Jaden Umeh, Kian McMahon-Brown, Michael Noonan and Max Kovalevskis give Colin O’Brien’s side the spoils.
They were a bit leaky towards the end and will be disappointed to concede a goal through Moises Richards. But it is very hot and humid out there and ultimately, they will be content to come away with the win.
5 Nov
2:26PM
Well that’s all from us folks.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage and look forward to having you with us again soon.
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As it happened: Republic of Ireland begin Fifa U17 World Cup with 4-1 win over Panama
Hello and welcome along to a historic day in the history of Irish football.
Ireland’s U17 World Cup campaign begins today as the Boys in Green qualify for the tournament at this age for the first time. It’s a throwback to Brian Kerr’s Malaysian Marvels who finished third in the U20 World Cup in 1997.
And now, some 30 years on, head coach Colin O’Brien leads the Class of 2025 into action in Qatar.
Ireland take on Panama today at 12.30pm in Doha. The game is live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ Player, and we will be bringing you through all the action too.
As always, we want to hear from you so get in touch in the comments below. We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly.
Here’s Ireland’s starting XI
And the Panama team:
Republic of Ireland: Alex Noonan; Oisin McDonagh, Vinnie Leonard, Ryan Butler, Ade Solanke; Rory Finneran, Kian McMahon-Brown, Ramon Martos; Michael Noonan, Jaden Umeh, Max Kovalevskis.
Panama: Adamir Aparicio; Anthony Ramos, Joseph Pacheco, Shayron Stewart, Hector Brias; Pablo Aranda, Estevis Lopez, Gerson Gordon, Jossimar Isturain, Edgardo Tovares, Moises Richards.
Before kick-off, take a look at this preview from our own David Sneyd
Who to watch – and where to watch – as Ireland’s trailblazers look to make history at U17 World Cup
Here’s the full rundown of Ireland’s fixtures in Group J:
The teams are out on the field now for the anthems.
It’s almost time to go now! How do you see this going?
Poll Results:
Kick-Off! Republic of Ireland U17 v Panama U17
1 min: Ireland 0-0 Panama
And we’re off in Doha. It’s very hot today but there’s nice gathering of Irish supporters over in Qatar for the occasion.
1 min: Ireland 0-0 Panama
It looks like Ireland are setting up with a 4-3-3 formation as they win a free-kick on the far side. Rory Finneran to take.
3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Panama get the first corner of the game but Alex Noonan gets up to claim the ball and get Ireland moving again.
4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Ireland put on the squeeze as Panama try to build from the back. Finneran is then penalised for what looked like a legitimate challenge and Panama retrieve possession.
5 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Panama break away quickly but a misplaced pass across the penalty area comes to the foot of Ramon Martos and Ireland kill off the danger.
8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Panama advance down the right flank again but Ireland get the numbers back and intercept the ball. A quick counter ends up down at the Panama box and a half chance comes to Jaden Umeh but the goalkeeper gets out in time to end the move.
Umeh then gets on the ball again and draws a clear foul in an inviting position. Finneran steps up again.
9 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Ade Solanke whips the ball in off his left boot and it comes to Umeh but the angle is too tight. Good start from Ireland. They’re enjoying a lot of the possession and look likely.
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Chance for Panama.
A ball in over the top tries to find Joseph Pacheco but Noonan is alert to get off the line in time and snuff out the danger.
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Ireland win a corner and Solanke is heading over to swing the ball in.
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Panama
Before the corner takes place, the referee runs in to scold the players on the pushing and shoving.
He comes back in again and Kian McMahon-Brown is among the players to receive a warning.
Solanke eventually gets to send the ball in but Ireland are penalised and it’s a free to Panama.
GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Panama (Jaden Umeh ’16)
17 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
What a goal!
Jaden Umeh times his jump perfectly to meet Rory Finneran’s corner and drive his header into the net and give Ireland the lead.
It’s most deserved after a period of sustained pressure and brilliant play. Umeh was giving Panama problems already with his speed and footwork, and now he has given Ireland an early lead.
And here is the goal in all its glory.
20 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
ANOTHER IRELAND CHANCE!
Oh, Jaden Umeh is having a day. He uses that pace to get in behind again and manages to get his toe on it but his shot blazes wide of the post. He was so close to his second of the day to double Ireland’s tally.
Colin O’Brien’s side continue to dominate in the first half.
23 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Another ball in behind opens up the play for Ireland. Finneran, who has also been excellent, sets up the chance but Panama survive this time.
25 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Solanke boots the ball forward and tries to link up with Michael Noonan. But Noonan commits a foul and Panama can breathe again.
Panama then get a chance on the edge of the box, but Vinnie Leonard gets his body in front of the shot to block the ball away.
27 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Panama enjoy their best passage of play. They spread the ball out wide to Moises Richards who takes on Solanke and then attempts a shot at goal but Noonan reacts well to deflect the ball out for a corner.
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Pacheco gets forward again for Panama but good defensive work from Oisín McDonagh to win the ball back. Panama are growing more into this game and responding well after conceding the goal.
30 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Water break in the very hot Qatar weather.
32 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
Back underway after cooling off.
33 mins: Ireland 1-0 Panama
CROSSBAR!
Another massive chance for Ireland. A long ball from Leonard finds Noonan in over the top and Noonan’s volley looked like it was going into the roof of the net. But he’s denied by the woodwork. That long ball game is working well for Ireland.
GOAL! Ireland 2-0 Panama (Kian McMahon-Brown ’34)
39 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
What a brilliant goal from Ireland, and that was surely coming.
After Noonan clattered the bar, they kept the pressure on and continued to bombard Panama, finally getting that second goal via the boot of Kian McMahon-Brown.
Ramon Martos teed up the shot for him and it was a precise finish to double Ireland’s lead.
Hat tip to Max Kovalevskis too for creating the opportunity with a lovely touch before squaring the ball to Martos.
43 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Play stopped for an injury to Pacheco. But it looks like he is ok to carry on. Earlier, McMahon-Brown came close to a second goal when he tried one from distance but the ball just cleared the bar.
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
SO CLOSE!
Noonan almost makes it 3-0. McMahon-Brown puts him through and after pulling the ball out wide at the edge of the box, Noonan goes for it and tries to find the bottom corner.
The goalkeeper gets a paw to it though and it’s out for a corner.
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
We’re into the three minutes of injury time.
48 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Panama get in for a chance just before half-time but credit to Solanke who gets in with a well-timed challenge to nick the ball away.
Half-Time! Ireland 2-0 Panama
Ireland 2-0 Panama
Super stuff from Colin O’Brien in the first half.
They’re 2-0 up but really, it should be a lot more. They’re bossing this game although Panama did sneak in for late chance just before the break. But Solanke, who has been lively to any danger throughout the first half, got in with a vital tackle.
Otherwise, it has been all Ireland in the first half. Jaden Umeh gave them the lead in the 17th minute from a set-piece, getting his head on a corner from Rory Finneran. And Kian McMahon-Brown completed Ireland’s brilliant period of pressure with a well-taken goal in the 34th minute.
Second-Half! Ireland 2-0 Panama
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Ireland create the first chance from the kick-off and win a throw.
45 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Panama then win a throw and Martos then commits a foul.
51 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Panama hold possession before a well-timed slide from Solanke puts the ball out for a throw.
Panama come again but have backed themselves into a corner and are struggling to find a gap. They’re being pushed back into their own half of the field again.
52 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Martos concedes a free to Panama in a very dangerous spot at the edge of the box.
53 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
They go direct with the shot but Noonan is more than equal to the attempt.
55 mins: Ireland 2-0 Panama
Very scratchy start to the second half. Obviously, Panama are trying to bring some urgency to the game and Ireland have been sloppy at times but Panama are lacking a lot of threat.
GOAL! Ireland 3-0 Panama (Michael Noonan ’57)
58 mins: Ireland 3-0 Panama
Michael Noonan finally gets his name on the scoresheet, and provides Ireland’s third of the game.
It’s a brilliant header as he’s reaching back. But he keeps his head down to direct the ball into the net.
It comes just moments after Umeh unleashed an absolute meteor into the top corner from the edge of the box. But his superb shot was ruled out for offside.
No such officiating intervention could prevent Noonan’s goal from being counted though.
GOAL! Ireland 4-0 Panama (Max Kovalevskis ’60)
65 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Goal number four. And this time it’s Max Kovalevskis. He battles for possession in the Panama area. And despite taking a fall, he leaps back up, pushes the ball ahead of himself to create the space and keeps his shot low.
Ireland can now send in the reinforcements: Max Kovalevskis and Kian McMahon-Brown are replaced by Victor Ozhianvuna and Grady McDonnell.
65 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Panama could have a penalty here. The referee is reviewing a potential handball by Ryan Butler.
The RTÉ commentary team are convinced it’s not a penalty.
66 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
And the referee agrees!
No penalty for Panama and Ireland can keep their clean sheet on course.
74 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Victor Ozhianvuna does well to intercept a Panama attack and retain possession for Ireland.
76 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Another water break as the pace of the game starts to drop. Ireland will surely make some more changes to get their starters in and rested.
80 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Into the final 10 minutes as Ireland run the bench again: Ramon Martos and Ade Solanke are off and Gavin McAteer and Sean Spaight come in.
81 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
SAVE!
Umeh gets in again on the far side. No offside flag this time but his shot is saved this time. He just can’t seem to get that second goal.
84 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Brilliant chance for Panama as substitute Angel James gets in behind. He checks back inside Leonard but there’s a slight hesitation and his shot is deflected out for a corner.
85 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
WIDE!
Panama come close again. And it’s Pacheco who tries to curl it in with his left. It’s a super shot but he can’t get it on target.
Ireland are still cruising but they’re fortunate not to have conceded anything too.
86 mins: Ireland 4-0 Panama
Ireland change: Brody Lee comes in for Umeh
GOAL! Ireland 4-1 Panama (Moises Richards ’88)
90 mins: Ireland 4-1 Panama
Panama deservedly get their goal and Moises Richards delivers as Ireland are far too loose again. It won’t be enough to get a result but for all their intent in the last 10 minutes, they have earned that goal.
Three minutes of added time to be played.
Full-Time! Republic of Ireland 4-1 Panama
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Panama
Job done!
Ireland get their U17 World Cup off to a winning start in Qatar. Goals from Jaden Umeh, Kian McMahon-Brown, Michael Noonan and Max Kovalevskis give Colin O’Brien’s side the spoils.
They were a bit leaky towards the end and will be disappointed to concede a goal through Moises Richards. But it is very hot and humid out there and ultimately, they will be content to come away with the win.
Well that’s all from us folks.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage and look forward to having you with us again soon.
Until next time, good luck!
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Minute-by-Minute Panama republic of ireland u17 Soccer U17 World Cup