Northern Ireland’s Under-15 development team defeated hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina by a goal to nil in their first game in a four-team UEFA development tournament.
Competition
UEFA U15 Development Tournament
Scoreline
Bosnia and Herzegovina U15s 0-1 Northern Ireland U15s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Michael Ihmig (82')
Venue
Hadzici, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date
21 October 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland’s U15s are currently taking part in a UEFA U15 Development Tournament which also features hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Latvia.
Head coach Michael McClean has chosen a 20-strong squad, largely made up of players who attend the Irish FA JD Academy, for the tournament.
How it happened
The hosts started on the front foot. Their first clearcut opportunity came on 14 minutes when Bosnia captain Jovan Trivunovic let fly from distance, however his shot was comfortably saved by Northern Ireland keeper Kaysan Braniff.
Bosnia continued to press, forcing several corners, however the Northern Ireland defence held firm.
Towards the end of the half Northern Ireland had two opportunities in quick succession from corners.
Substitute Will Megaw’s delivery found Daithi Holleran, however his header was cleared. From the resultant corner Megaw found Holleran again but his header was off target.
Half-time: Bosnia and Herzegovina U15s 0-0 Northern Ireland U15s
Both sides had spells of possession just after the restart, however very few chances were created.
On 61 minutes Northern Ireland’s Calum Evans fired a shot over the bar, while Trivunovic had an effort for the hosts which was gathered in by Braniff.
In the 82nd minute Northern Ireland grabbed what proved to be the winner. Alfie Davidson slipped in captain Michael Mulholland. His shot was pushed out by Bosnia keeper Ensar Grcom and substitute Michael Ihmig reacted quickest to steer the ball into the net.
In the closing stages Mulholland’s rising shot went over the bar, while Bosnia sub Dzan Suljevic clipped a free-kick around the wall, however it was comfortably saved by Braniff.
Next up for the U15s is a game against Slovenia U15s on Thursday (23 October), with an 11am kick-off local time.
Full-time: Bosnia and Herzegovina U15s 0-1 Northern Ireland U15s
Line-ups
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ensar Grcom, Eldin Colic, Emir Abazovic, Emir Gavranovic, Stefan Kuvalja, Anur Handzic, Marco Zovko, Andrej Serdarusic, Iazar Skoko, Jovan Trivunovic (captain), Dorijan Haler.
Substitutes: Veljko Vucetic, Adin Delic, Jakov Penava, Emin Habibovic, Karlo Hrkac, Mak Softic, Patrik Vrljic, Dzan Suljevic, Karlo Pehar.
Northern Ireland: Kaysan Braniff, Luca Lavery, JD Camlin, Cohen Ennis, Daithi Holleran, Calum Evans, Conleth O’Neill, Will Davison, Michael Mulholland (captain), Alfie Davidson, Eoghan Mallon.
Substitutes: Luke Bellingham (GK), Will Megaw, Noah Stewart, Daniel Clarke, Luke Wells, Aiden Hamill, Corey McCartney, Noah Henderson, Michael Ihmig.
