Ireland 2 Slovakia 2
International football returned to Leeside as the Ireland U21s twice came from behind to draw with Slovakia, as they continued their Euro 2027 qualifiers.
A goalkeeping error led the way for Jad Hakiki to equalise for the hosts after 59 minutes, leaving the group rivals to share the spoils.
Both sides entered the contest with maximum points from their opening two games, indicating how tight an encounter this one was likely to be.
The excitement was evident in the stands at Turners Cross on a beautiful, autumnal evening, but the visitors inflicted an early setback as Daniel Danihel’s wild shot was nodded into the net by Mason Melia in only the third minute.
But to the credit of this young Irish team, there was no sense of panic or feeling sorry for themselves after falling behind.
They showed their intent straight from the restart and had an immediate equaliser when Jamie Mullins found the bottom corner with a superb, controlled volley to get the home crowd on their feet, and Ireland right back in the match.
The early exchanges continued at a similar intensity for much of the opening stages and Noah Jauney stopped well from a strong Danihel strike on 15 minutes.
At the other end, twenty-year-old Rocco Vata looked dangerous but his volleyed effort in the 23rd-minute didn’t trouble the Slovakian goal. Moments later, Mason Melia, who has been having another promising season for St. Pats, broke into the penalty area and went to ground under a challenge, but the referee was not convinced.
Melia was booked for diving at the same ground where he and his side were dumped out of the FAI Cup only seven days ago.
As half time loomed, Slovakia began to get more of a foothold in the game, and when Nino Marcelli struck at goal, Jauny could only parry it away for a corner.
From that corner, the ball broke to Jauny again on the edge of the area. After evading a challenge far too easily, his shot was deflected past the helpless Jauny who was left wrong footed in the Irish net, It left the home side trailing at the break.
Jim Crawford showed his intent at the beginning of the second half by switching to a back three. The team responded well with Cathal McCarthy having a nice back heeled effort in the 46th-minute.
Moments later, Jad Hakiki found himself behind the Slovakian back line but his shot rose over the bar, after he seemingly handled the ball. A moment of controversy avoided perhaps.
Vata continued to threaten down the left-hand side and the change of shape offered him more freedom to run at the defence. The pressure paid off on the hour mark when a seemingly aimless ball was lofted to the back post.
When everyone in the ground expected Adam Hrdina to gather it comfortably, Jad Hakiki stayed alert. When the ball was fumbled, he was there to collect.
After appearing to take too much out of it, Hakiki eventually unleashed an effort that went in via yet another deflection.
Ireland U21s have equalised to make it 2-2 at Turners Cross after poor handling from Slovakia’s goalkeeper
Updates – https://t.co/LhgtX5UOIi
Watch live – https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/Vz3bWSkOk7
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2025
With just over 20 minutes to play, Jim Crawford played his hand, introducing Shamrock Rovers striker, Michael Noonan and the exciting young, Liverpool winger, Trent Kone Doherty.
The latter with his first touch, almost created a goal for Vata following an explosive run.
That run came at a cost and he went down soon after with a hamstring injury that was sustained in that attack. His disappointment was clear to all as he left the pitch.
The last 20 minutes was littered with stoppages as Danihal was stretchered off following a clash of heads. The away team began to wind the clock down, seemingly content with a point on the road.
Until the final minute of normal time that is, when a cut back found Marcelli who’s effort was half blocked from twelve yards out, looping up on to the bar.
The ball ricocheted back off the head of Jauny, before ricocheting off the bar and his head yet again.
It was eventually gathered on the goal line, in what would have been comical, were it not such a significant game. After that escape, it felt like both teams were satisfied with a draw, and that’s how the eight additional minutes played out.
Slovakia will now play Andorra at home next Tuesday, while Ireland await an intriguing meeting with Lee Carsley’s England in November.
Republic of Ireland: Jauny; Abankwah, Okagbue, Grehan, Slater; McCarthy (Noonan 68), Mullins, Murphy; Hakiki (Ayinde 68) (Kone-Doherty 74), Melia, Vata (O’Mahony 90+2).
Slovakia: Hrdina; Pavek (Hrancia 69), Paliscak, Jakubko, Danihel (Mielke 79); Hajovsky, Gidi, Gajdos (Murgas 69); Riznic, Griger (Pira 79), Marcelli (Fiala 90+1).
Referee: L. Tschudi (Switzerland).