Northern Ireland’s junior international team were narrowly defeated by their Italian counterparts in a UEFA Regions’ Cup intermediate round tie earlier today.
After beating Western Region in a two-legged play-off earlier this year, Eastern Region are currently representing Northern Ireland in the Regions’ Cup 2026/27 intermediate round.
And in their first game in a four-team mini tournament being staged in Albania they lost out to Piemonte Valle d'Aosta Regional FA (representing Italy).
In the match at Stadiumi Luz i Vogël in Kavaje Municipality in western Albania they created plenty of chances but the Italians were more ruthless.
Two goals in the opening 16 minutes were enough to give Italy all three points.
Northern Ireland junior international manager Harry McConkey has chosen 18 Eastern Region players to take part in the mini tournament (Group 6) and his starting 11 and substitutes gave it a right good go against Piemonte Valle d'Aosta.
The first chance of the game fell to Northern Ireland defender Leon Lavery but he missed the target – and almost immediately Italy opened the scoring through Filippo Comino in the second minute.
Lavery had another opportunity and forward Matty Herron had an effort on goal before Comino turned provider for forward Francesco Geno and the Italians were two up in the 16th minute.
But Northern Ireland did not let the heads drop. Defender Mick Byrne had a chance, while midfielder Paul Donnelly missed the target and Herron had another effort.
Lavery missed an opportunity as Northern Ireland continued to push, although Italy defender Giovanni Specchia and midfielder Nicolo Poppa also had chances before the break.
Italy captain Kevin Caporale had a shot blocked just after the restart and then Donnelly and Herron both had attempts blocked by the Italian defence.
Lavery had another chance, while Northern Ireland substitute Curtis Brown got on the end of a Donnelly free-kick but his effort was cleared for a corner. Attacker Patrick Downey delivered the corner, which was met by Brown who missed the target.
In the closing stages the game became a bit scrappy as the Italians defended their lead and Northern Ireland pushed for a goal.
On 84 minutes substitute Jonny Ewart had an attempt but his goal-bound effort was saved by Italy keeper Brian Rainero.
In added time Northern Ireland sub Seamus Duffy delivered a corner which found its way to fellow sub John Mahoney and his shot was blocked by the Italian defence.
Next up for McConkey’s side is a game against West Slovakia (Slovakia). That game on Sunday (1 November) is also at Stadiumi Luz i Vogël and has an 11am GMT start.
Their final game will take place at the House of Football in Tirana, the Albanian capital, on Wednesday 4 November. Their opponents will be a team chosen from across Albania (12.30pm GMT).
The winners of Group 6 in the intermediate round will advance to the final tournament in the summer of 2027.
Northern Ireland: Gerard Walker, Thomas McNeill, Leon Lavery, Mark Lyons, Gareth Henderson, Richard Gowdy (captain), Kyle Woods, Mick Byrne, Matty Herron, Patrick Downey, Paul Donnelly.
Substitutes: (used) Curtis Brown, Jonathan Ewart, Seamus Duffy, Charlie Dornan, John Mahoney; (unused) William Hunter (GK), Sam Dinu.
Italy: Brian Raneiro, Giovanni Specchia, Riccardo D’Ippolito, Lorenzo Sacco, Tommaso Modena, Kevin Caporale (captain), Nicolo Poppa, Martino Zoppo, Francesco Geno, Filippo Comino, Tommaso Redi.
Substitutes: (used) Samuele Caristo, Federico Fontana, Alessandro Rogora, Andrea Bellucca, Alessio Sia; (unused) Samuele Romanin (GK).
