Clonmany teenager Oisin Cooney starts as Ireland and Greece U19s ends all square 

Clonmany teenager Oisin Cooney was between the posts for Ireland U-19s as they drew 2-2 with Greece in their opening game of their tournament in Croatia.

UCD’s Cathal McCarthy grabbed a late equaliser after Naj Razi had given Ireland the lead in the first half.

The tournament is being used as final preparation for the Under-19s’ EURO Qualifications next month where Ireland will face Moldova, Azerbaijan and Iceland.

Ireland were ahead in the 25th minute when former Shamrock Rovers man Razi converted a tidy finish after an excellent dummy by Cian Dillon.

Greece struck back in the 36th minute Theodoros Delianidis was given space in the area and fired in at the near post past Finn Harps stopper Cooney.

Just after the hour mark it was 2-1 to Greece. Adriano Bregu was able to pick his spot and fired past Cooney down low.

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But with a few minutes remaining Ireland won a corner and McCarthy rose highest to connect with the ball, sending it in to earn Ireland the draw.

They face the hosts Croatia on Saturday.

Ireland: Cooney, Devaney, Grante, McCarthy, Cory O’Sullivan (Kiernan, 77’), McGrath (Ochoa Moloney, 66’), Akachukwu (C), Cathal O’Sullivan (Morley, 66’), Naj Razi (Isichei, 82’), Kone Doherty, Dillon (Okosun, 66’).

Greece: Georgakopoulos, Koupenos, Alafakis, Bataoulas, Kosidis, Martousis (C), Liatsikouras, Mythou, Bregu, Tsioungaris, Deliandis. Substitutes: Beleris, Andrikopoulos, Chatsidis, Panagakos, Galiastos, Kalaitsdis, Pnevmondis, Markezinis, Theocharis, Hoxha, Politakis, Lykourinos, Santis.

Referee: Luka Milković (Croatia)