McKinley features in Buftea but Irish U16s lose out to Romania

Ronan McKinley played 75 minutes yesterday as the Republic of Ireland Under-16s went down to defeat to Romania.

Paul Osam’s team lost 3-1 at the National Training Centre in Buftea.

Newtowncunningham’s McKinley, who plays with Derry City, started the game and played the bulk of the contest, Ireland’s first of the new campaign. McKinley previously played with Bonagee United and Kildrum Tigers before signing this summer with the Candystripes.

Romania took the lead in the 29th minute when a right wing cross by Ahmed Bani found captain Radu Drăgușin and he headed home from close range.

Ireland levelled just two minutes later when a low strike across goal by Patrick Moore was spilled by the keeper and Matt Everitt pounced to turn home the loose ball.

The impressive Romanian midfielder Ahmed Bani put the hosts ahead in the 47th minute when he worked his way through the Irish defence before slotting the ball under the advancing Irish keeper Corcoran.

Romania extended their lead in the 51st minute when Corcoran was desperately unlucky to see the loose ball headed in by Munteanu after the keeper had dived full stretch to touch a powerful strike by Alexi Pitu onto his crossbar.