Northern Ireland’s Under-16s enjoyed an emphatic win against Estonia in their first game in an international tri-nations tournament which is being staged in Co Down this week.
Competition
Tri-Nations Tournament
Scoreline
Estonia U16s 0-5 Northern Ireland U16s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Ryland Perry (2), Dara Donnan (2), Eoghan Mallon
Venue
Donard Park, Newcastle
Date
14 September 2026
Team News
A Northern Ireland Under-16 team are currently competing in a three-team international tournament on home soil.
The tri-nations tournament at Donard Park in Newcastle, which also features Estonia and Finland, is being supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Northern Ireland U16s head coach Michael McClean has chosen a 20-strong squad for the matches in Co Down, with the bulk of the players coming from the Irish FA JD Academy (residential and non-residential).
How it happened
Estonia started brightly and applied plenty of pressure in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
However, Northern Ireland soon found their rhythm and took control of the match.
The first goal arrived on 23 minutes when Ryland Perry raced onto a ball over the top, forced a mistake from the Estonian defenders and calmly slotted the ball home from an angle.
The goal further settled the young Northern Ireland side who produced some good attacking play and had chances to increase their lead.
A second goal eventually came on 39 minutes when Perry grabbed his second of the game. A well worked short corner was headed back across goal for the striker to tap the ball home from two yards.
Half-time: Estonia U16s 0-2 Northern Ireland U16s
In the second half the match continued in the same vein as the first, with Northern Ireland dominating possession and pressing Marko Parnpuu’s side high up the pitch.
There was a double substitution on 60 minutes when midfielder Corey Harkin and striker Dara Donnan replaced Alfie Davidson and Will Davison – and it proved to be decisive.
Five minutes after coming on Donnan raced onto a neat through ball from Harkin and confidently chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper.
The energetic Donnan then doubled his tally on 70 minutes when he latched on to a loose ball, burst past an Estonian defender and finished well across the keeper.
The scoring was completed on 73 minutes when another second half substitute, Eoghan Mallon, whipped in a free-kick from out wide which took a deflection and crept in at the front post.
Afterwards Michael McClean said: “It was a really pleasing performance, both with and without the ball. We pressed Estonia high and didn’t let them get a foothold in the game.
“In possession some of our build-up play was of a really good standard. There were some very good individual performances as well as it being a good team performance.”
Estonia will be in action again on Wednesday (16 September), this time against Finland (12pm).
The final game of the tournament is pencilled in for Friday (18 September) when Northern Ireland will face the Finns (11am start).
There is free entry to the matches at Donard Park.
Full-time: Estonia U16s 0-5 Northern Ireland U16s
Line-ups
Estonia U16s: Otto Kais, Ron Veskimae, Platon Merzin, Paul Ojavere, Jaan Erik Poldma, Romet Kulm (captain), Hugo Paade, Trevor Haabma, Pavel Bogatov, Oskar Vahemets, Sten Erik Kagu.
Substitutes: Bayron Kelner (GK), Henri Johan Zigurs, Bogdan Limarenko, Johannes Rakko, Remo Pallo, Paul Samuel Valton, Joonas Laht, Partel Reinson, Markkus Erikson, Kennert Manniste, Matvei Klenski.
Northern Ireland U16s: Cuan O’Bradaigh, Daithi Holleran, Cohen Ennis, Riley McCreery, Corey McCartney, Gus Murdock, Rylan Heaney, Calum Evans (captain), Ryland Perry, Alfie Davidson, Will Davison.
Substitutes: (used) Eoghan Mallon, Quinn Milligan, Corey Harkin, Dara Donnan, Luca Lavery, Eoin McCann, Shea Donnelly; (unused) Harry McSwiney (GK), Conleth O’Neill.
Action from Donard Park
