Dave Connell’s team had taken a first-half lead from the spot before conceeding an equaliser five minutes later but the Austrians completed the turnaround against the run of play with just 10 minutes to go.
The first chance of the game fell to Ireland when Emily Whelan was sent through one-on-one against Austrian goalkeeper Celine Leitner. Whelan’s right footed effort was excellent palmed away and the danger was cleared.
Ireland were lucky not to go behind on 18 minutes. The flag stayed down for Jessica Fieser who saw her effort blocked first by Aoife Slattery and then by the feet of Rachel Kelly before the danger was cleared.
Ireland did however take the lead six minutes later. Jessica Ziu was brought down when she rounded Leitner and Allanah McEvoy made no mistake placing the ball in bottom right-hand corner to give the Girls in Green the lead.
However their advantage didn’t last long with Austria breaking through the Irish back line and Annabel Schasching composing herself before firing past Rachel Kelly for the equaliser.
In the second half, Dave Connell’s side started brightly with Whelan, McEvoy and Ziu in particularly causing Austria problems with their attacking display.
But they were dealt a cruel blow late on when Austria took the lead on 80 minutes against the run of play. Maria Plattner managed to get behind the Ireland defence before slotting past Kelly from close range with the goal.
Speaking after the game Head Coach Dave Connell said: "I thought we played well in spells but not we were not good enough on the day. They got two goals that weren't worldies but we'll certainly be disappointed with the goals that they got.
"I thought a lot of elements of what we did was very good. We created a lot of chances and their goalkeeper pulled off two very good saves in the first half to keep them in the game. overall there were positives to take from the game but we'll work on the parts that need to be improved.
"They are a good side and we expected them to be a good side but these are the games that we want and we look towards Sunday now."
Republic of Ireland: Rachel Kelly, Zara Foley, Kelsey Munroe, Roisin McGovern (C), Aoife Slattery,( Leah Brady,85) Nadine Clare (Mia Dodd, 60), Izzy Atkinson (Sinead Donovan, 60), Rebecca Cooke, Alannah McEvoy (Niamh Reynolds, 85), Jessica Ziu, Emily Whelan (Sophie Liston, 72).
Substitutes: Maeve Williams (GK), Alannah Mitchell, Alannah Maxwell, Chloe Darby.
Austria: Celine Leitner, Celina Degen (C), Claudia Wenger, Valentina Kroll, Laura Wurzer, Jessica Frieser (Anna Bereuter,60) , Michela Croatto, Stefanie Grossgasteiger, Maria Plattner, Annabel Schasching, Sophie Hillebrand.
Substitutes: Nadine Hinterberger (GK) Katja Wienerroither, Sabina Milovanovic, Victoria Sommer, Linda Mittermair, Carina Brunold, Veronika Potoschnig, Magdalena Keck.
Referee: Orla Devaney (IRL)
Results
29/08/19: Ireland 1-2 Austria
Fixture
01/09/19: Ireland v Austria, KO 1pm, FAI National Training Centre