Austria 3-2 Ireland
Ireland lost out in a nailbiter of a game to young Austrian outfit. Early on Ireland went two goals down against the run of play.
They outplayed Austria for much of the game but thanks to some incredible heroics from the Austrian keeper they managed to keep Ireland at bay despite numerous efforts from Ken Kinsella, Eddie Madigan and captain Gavin Dowling who was as energetic and skillful as ever if not as clinical.
With the introduction of Tomás Dinan however things turned in favour of the boys in green, pulling one back and then creating a chance wide on the right which Dinan finished with a fierce low drive into the far corner.
This brought Ireland level and the rhythm reappeared as they dominated and pressed for a winner when a mistake in the oppositions half let Austria through on goal and gave Jordan O'Reilly who had another fine game no chance. Despite Ireland's total dominance the Austrian defence stood firm with an incredible performance from their keeper who received the Man of the Match award from referee Harry Milas
Portugal 5-1 Ireland
In the midday cauldron of Zocala, Ireland were put to the sword by a clinical Portuguese outfit. They were young athletic and fit and although the scoreline would suggest a totally dominant performance this was far from true.
Portugal were clever in possession and clinical in finishing in the first half. Jordan O'Reilly again was impressive but was left helpless on two occasions. The second half started much the same as the first but on the break Portugal scored their third with brilliantly measure curling shot into the corner of O'Reilly ’s net from the left wing.
Gavin Dowling scored a battling goal against another goalkeeper who had an outstanding game to give Ireland hope. However the Portuguese took the heat out of the game with impressive posession and the wind out of the Irish sails with two more clinical finishes. This leaves Ireland with a mountain to climb in order qualify for the Premier competition but it is not yet beyond them.