Northern Ireland’s Under-19s drew 0-0 with Lithuania in a Euro qualifier staged in Lithuania.
Competition
U19 Euro 2027 Qualifiers Round 1
Scoreline
Lithuania U19s 0-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Venue
Raudondvario Stadionas, Raudondvaris
Date
31 March 2026
Team News
Kris Lindsay has taken charge of a U19 team who are in Lithuania competing in the first round of qualifiers for U19 Euro 2027.
Following a 2-1 comeback win over Azerbaijan in his side’s first match in the three-team League B Group 6 mini tournament, Lindsay made just one change for the second and final game against the hosts.
In came Coran Madden as fellow attacker Luke McGerrigan dropped to the bench.
How it happened
Lithuania, who defeated Azerbaijan 4-0 in their first game, had the first clear chance, Dominykas Taucas forcing a save out of Northern Ireland keeper Finn McDonnell.
Defender Tomas Jonyla steered an effort wide before McDonnell was called into action again to thwart forward Grant Emerhi.
Taucas missed another chance before Northern Ireland attacker Sidney Eldred failed to hit the target and Shea McGarry had a shot blocked.
As the half drew to a close McDonnell stopped efforts from forward Carmine Mennea and Taucas, and he also saved a Dominykas Liepis effort. Liepis missed another opportunity, too.
Half-time: Lithuania U19s 0-0 Northern Ireland U19s
The start of the second period was a bit scrappy. It sprang to life when Jonyla forced a save out of McDonnell.
Taucas and defender Oskar Pukelis had chances for the hosts, while Northern Ireland substitute Luke Hawe put an effort wide.
Taucas was off target once again as Lithuania went in search of a goal.
On 79 minutes McGarry forced a save out of Lithuania keeper Kristupas Cepulis.
A minute later McDonnell thwarted Taucas once again. He also saved a couple of attempts by substitute Rodion Piazenko in quick succession.
Lithuania continued to press and Taucas fluffed his lines once more when well placed.
Midfielder and captain Dovas Grudzinskas netted twice for Lithuania against Azerbaijan. He was busy throughout the match but could not influence the proceedings in the same way in this qualifier.
The result means Northern Ireland U19s will remain in League B for round two of the qualifiers for UEFA U19 Euro 2027 this autumn. Lithuania topped the group ahead of them on goal difference.
Full-time: Lithuania U19s 0-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Line-ups
Lithuania: Kristupas Cepulis, Jugas Turcinskas, Oskar Pukelis, Jokubas Ziedelis, Tomas Jonyla, Dovas Grudzinskas (captain), Dominykas Taucas, Klemensas Gustas, Grant Emerhi, Carmine Mennea, Dominykas Liepis.
Substitutes: (used) Rodion Piazenko, Varakis Bradunas; (unused) Dominykas Cekavicius (GK), Dovydas Balsys, Donatas Jermakovas, Simas Grabauskas, Martynas Stambrauskas, Diugevic Norbert, Kristupas Padegimas.
Northern Ireland: Finn McDonnell, Paul Stanfield, Oisin Gamble, Noah McDonnell, Shea McGarry, Troy Savage (captain), Alex Watson, Matthew Burns, Sidney Eldred, Kalum Thompson, Coran Madden.
Substitutes: (used) Luke Hawe, Calum Anderson, Brandon Downey, Zachary Sutton; (unused) Matthew Belshaw (GK), Alfie McIlroy, Luke McGerrigan, Josef Orpwood, Callum Downey.
