Captain Michael Mulholland’s brace helped secure a victory for Northern Ireland’s Under-15 development team in their final game in a four-team UEFA development tournament.
Competition
UEFA U15 Development Tournament
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U15s 2-0 Latvia U15s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Michael Mulholland (64’, 89’)
Venue
Hadzici, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date
26 October 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland’s U15s took part in a UEFA U15 Development Tournament which also featured hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Latvia.
For the final game head coach Michael McClean made seven changes from the 11 who started game two against Slovenia, which Northern Ireland lost by two goals to one.
Kaysan Braniff, Daithi Holleran and Eoghan Mallon returned to the starting line-up. Meanwhile, Luke Wells, Aiden Hamill, Corey McCartney and Michael Ihmig made their first starts of the tournament.
Luke Bellingham, Luca Lavery, JB Camlin, Conleth O’Neil, Will Megaw, Noah Stewart and Noah Henderson dropped to the bench this time.
Northern Ireland’s 20-strong squad at the tournament is largely made up of players who attend the Irish FA JD Academy.
How it happened
Northern Ireland had the first opportunity of the match in the 10th minute when Alfie Davidson gave a nice lay-off to Eoghan Mallon, whose shot was blocked. Latvia had consecutive corner kicks three minutes later but were unable to capitalise.
In the 27th minute Latvia’s Reinards Gudlevskis delivered an impeccable cross that found striker Augusts Leinsaris, whose header sailed over the bar. Four minutes later Northern Ireland had two chances to take the lead but were denied by the stout Latvian defence.
At 39 minutes Davidson struck a shot from distance, but it deflected off a teammate and was saved comfortably by Latvian keeper Reinis Zmogins. Moments later, after an errant pass from Latvia’s defence, Davidson delivered a sublime cutback for captain Michael Mulholland, who hit the crossbar.
Towards the end of the first half Mulholland was given another opportunity. After a stellar solo run from the striker, his long-distance effort curled wide.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U15s 0-0 Latvia U15s
Two minutes after the restart Northern Ireland won a free-kick. It ultimately led to a shot from distance from Luke Wells which was caught by Zmogins.
In the 57th minute Northern Ireland’s Aiden Hamill slipped in a pass to Mulholland, whose initial shot was saved by Zmogins, and the striker was unable to score from the rebound. A minute later substitute Noah Henderson delivered a sublime cross to Mulholland, and his header went wide.
After several chances throughout the match, Mulholland was able to get on the scoresheet in the 64th minute. Calum Evans produced a perfectly weighted pass to the striker and he was able to slot the ball home.
Latvia had a chance to equalise in the 69th minute from a free-kick but captain Alberts Avots’ effort sailed wide. Nine minutes later, straight from a Northern Ireland corner, Latvia substitutes Janis Rupeiks-Rokis and Marks Zanders combined to create an opportunity, but the final effort drifted wide.
In the closing stages of the match a Latvia free-kick was cleared and led to a breakaway for Northern Ireland led by Henderson. He slipped in a pass to Mulholland, who provided the dagger goal.
Michael McClean’s team concluded the tournament with two victories and one defeat.
Full-time: Northern Ireland U15s 2-0 Latvia U15s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Kaysan Braniff (GK), Cohen Ennis, Daithi Holleran, Calum Evans, Michael Mulholland (captain), Alfie Davidson, Eoghan Mallon, Luke Wells, Aiden Hamill, Corey McCartney, Michael Ihmig.
Substitutes: Luke Bellingham (GK), Luca Lavery, JB Camlin, Conleth O’Neil, Will Megaw, Noah Stewart, Daniele Clarke, Will Davison, Noah Henderson.
Latvia: Reinis Zmogins (GK), Ralfs Suklais, Francis Egle, Markuss Dembovskis, Alberts Avos (captain), Martins Senkans, Reinards Gudlevskis, Nazars Mahina, Emils Dergacs, Olivers Blazevics, Augusts Leinsaris.
Substitutes: Lukas Jalovecks (GK), Roberts Jablokovs, Oskars Krampans, Paul Brants, Vilhelms Valts Melkis, Marks Zanders, Emils Komorovskis, Rauls Vitols, Janis Rupeiks-Rokis.
