Northern Ireland’s Under-17s produced a disciplined performance as they drew with Norway’s U17s in a friendly played in Spain.
Competition
U17 International Friendly
Scoreline
Norway U17s 1-1 Northern Ireland U17s
Venue
Pinatar Arena, Murcia
Date
21 February 2026
Team News
U17s boss Andy Waterworth freshened things up for the second of two international friendlies in Spain this month.
He made five changes from the 11 who started the 2-1 win over Sweden in the first friendly in Murcia.
In came defender Alfie Wilson, midfielders Jake Drewett, Alfie Anderson and Freddie Murdock along with striker Zak Magowan.
Dropping to the bench were defenders David Green and Sonny Trainor, midfielders Charlie McConnell and Finlay Ross as well as forward Eamonn Tohill.
The matches against Sweden and Norway in Murcia were preparation games for the second and final stage of qualifiers for U17 Euro 2026. In the elite round U17 Euro qualifiers – they are being staged next month in Northern Ireland – Waterworth’s boys will be up against Spain, Turkiye and Scotland in Group A6.
The U17 panel in Spain featured 15 players who currently attend or have attended the Irish FA JD Academy.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started brightly against the Norwegians.
The U17s took the lead through a penalty which was expertly slotted home by captain Joel Kerr, who also scored from the spot against the Swedes.
A red card for the Norwegians appeared to galvanise them and they scored with a shot from 16 yards.
Northern Ireland had to defend resolutely at times as Norway applied pressure.
Half-time: Norway U17s 1-1 Northern Ireland U17s
The boys in green and white saw plenty of the ball after the break but could not make the extra man count.
They created chances in the second half, however none of them were clearcut opportunities and the Norway defence held firm.
Norway, despite being a man down, also had a few chances in the second period.
Afterwards Waterworth said he was delighted with the players’ performances across the two games.
“Sweden and Norway are both Pot 1 teams and we managed a win and a draw against them. The players have to be commended for taking on a lot of information. There were some good individual performances.
“A special mention goes to the captain, Joel Kerr, who was excellent in both games.”
Full-time: Norway U17s 1-1 Northern Ireland U17s
Line-ups
Norway: Oskar Nilsson, Arigon Fejzullahu, Daniel Sylte, Emil Hillestad (captain), John K Gundersen, Abdoulie Jatta, Kevin Andrew Daehlin, Lucas Myklebust, Abel Cedergren, Matheo Arntzen, Elias Arifagic.
Substitutes: Haakon Norda (GK), Ulrik Hald-Hernes, Jakob Ronningen, Sondre Bakken, Evenezer Forcha, Aleksander Elvebu, Aleksander Borgersen, Patrik Johnsen, Marius Eriksrud.
Northern Ireland: Phoenix Blayney, Alfie Wilson, Shea McGarry, Paul Stanfield, Daniel McCarron, Jake Drewett, Alfie Anderson, Freddie Murdock, Luke Hawe, Zak Magowan, Joel Kerr (captain).
Substitutes: Matthew Belshaw (GK), Kyle Chivers (GK), Charlie McConnell, Sonny Trainor, David Green, Eamonn Tohill, Finlay Ross, Will Haselhurst, Liam Kelly, Mason Ayre, Jack May, Michael Mulholland, Alfie Mulvenna.
