Northern Ireland’s Under-17s were narrowly defeated by Scotland’s U17s in a Euro qualifier staged in Coleraine.
Competition
U17 Euro 2026 Round Two Qualifiers
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U17s 1-2 Scotland U17s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Shea McGarry (13’)
Scotland: Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri (10’), Luke Douglas (85’)
Venue
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Date
21 March 2026
Team News
This week Northern Ireland’s Under-17s have been competing in League A Group 6 in the second and final stage of qualifiers for the U17 Euro 2026 men’s tournament in Estonia this summer.
For the team’s third and final game in the group, U17s boss Andy Waterworth made four changes to the 11 that started the defeat against Turkiye.
Attacker Joel Kerr, who played in the opening day loss to eventual group winners Spain but was suspended for the Turkiye game, returned to captain the team.
Also brought into the side were defender Paul Stanfield and midfielders Liam Kelly and Adam Nelson.
Moving to the bench this time were defender Calum Anderson, midfielders Sonny Trainor and Alfie Anderson plus striker Michael Mulholland.
How it happened
Northern Ireland captain Joel Kerr missed the target early on before Scotland attacker Luke Douglas swept the ball wide.
Scotland opened the scoring on 10 minutes through striker Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri. Midfielder Emmanuel Obidiwe provided the assist.
However, Northern Ireland levelled within three minutes. Liam Kelly was the provider and Shea McGarry was the scorer.
Blayney saved from Douglas and Cadamarteri as Scotland stepped it up. And then Blayney was called into action again to stop an effort from midfielder Ethan Crombie.
Scotland keeper Warren Lyall thwarted Northern Ireland striker Eamonn Tohill before Crombie tested Blayney once again. And in added time Lyall saved an attempt by Charlie McConnell.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U17s 1-1 Scotland U17s
The second half, like the first, saw both sides create opportunities.
McConnell had an effort blocked, while Douglas steered an effort wide for the Scots.
Scottish defender Charley Oosenbrugh tested Blayney before Lyall saved a Kerr attempt.
Then Douglas tried to beat Blayney once more as Scotland applied pressure. Blayney had to be on his toes again to deny Oosenburgh and midfielder Jamie Forrest in quick succession.
The game looked to be heading for a draw when the Scots conjured a winner on 85 minutes. Substitute Kyle Glasgow made a telling contribution as he provided the assist for goalscorer Douglas.
In today’s other game in the group Spain and Turkiye drew 0-0 at Solitude.
Full-time: Northern Ireland U17s 1-2 Scotland U17s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Phoenix Blayney, Paul Stanfield, Alfie Wilson, Shea McGarry, Daniel McCarron, Charlie McConnell, Liam Kelly, Adam Nelson, Luke Hawe, Eamonn Tohill, Joel Kerr (captain).
Substitutes: (used) Michael Mulholland, Zak Magowan, Alfie Anderson; (unused) Kyle Chivers (GK), Calum Anderson, Sonny Trainor, Jack May.
Scotland: Warren Lyall, Charley Oosenbrugh, Aiden Crilly, Callan Hamill (captain), Ben Stoddart, Jamie Forrest, Emmanuel Obidiwe, Ethan Crombie,
Substitutes: (used) Joseph Haney, Kyle Glasgow, Kai Hutchison, Nairn Reynolds, Arran McSporran; (unused) Joseph Hastings (GK), Ben Hutton, Harlem McLauglin.
Main image: Lucky for some... Shea McGarry, wearing the number 13 shirt, scored for Northern Ireland in the 13th minute.
Action from Coleraine
