Three Meath players feature against Wales

Meath players Cian Lee and Dominic Peppard from Trim along with Cian Hughes from Ratoath all played for the Republic of Ireland in yesterday evening's u-16 Victory Shield game against Wales at Dragon Park, Newport.

The Irish boys lost narrowly (1-2) and had drawn 0-0 with their Northern Ireland counterparts on Sunday, they were unlucky not to get at least a draw yesterday.

Ireland had the home defence scrambling in the 18th minute but failed to turn the ball home and then ten minutes later the Welsh were denied an opener when Dylan Levitt had a shot blocked.

The Irish had an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock in the 36th minute but Luke O'Brien's strike was well-saved by home goalkeeper

Wales went ahead eight minutes into the second-half with a scrappy goal that was eventually bundled home by Brandon Oddy after a goalmouth scramble.

The Welsh, captained by Ethan Ampadu the son of former Ireland u-21 cap Kwame Ampadu, extended their lead in the 51st minute when Rabbi Matonda drove past two Irish defenders before blasting to the top corner.

The Irish pulled one back when Aaron Connolly showed great composure to round the keeper and finish from a tight angle.

Osam's side had a penalty shout waves away in the 70th minute and were desperately unlucky not to equalise three minutes into injury-time when Lee O'Connor rattled the crossbar following a well-worked corner.

Ireland meet Scotland in their final fixture on Thursday afternoon.

Republic of Ireland - Lorcan Callaghan, Cian Lee, Lee O'Connor, Daryl Walsh, Thomas Caffrey, Jonathan Afolabi, Niklas Baylor, Dominic Peppard, Luke O'Brien, Alex Kelly, Cian Hughes. Subs - Jordan Doherty for Baylor 50 mins; Aaron Connolly for Afolabi 55; James Jennings for Luke O'Brien 70.

RESULTS
Sunday - Northern Ireland 0-0 Republic of Ireland, Newport Stadium
Tuesday - Wales 2-1 Republic of Ireland, Dragon Park, Newport
FIXTURE
Thursday - Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Newport Stadium (12.00 noon).