Paul Osam's Ireland under-16s see off Tanzania by one goal in Turkey

Paul Osam’s Republic of Ireland under-16 side featuring a number of League of Ireland underage stars saw off Tanzania by a goal to nil in the Aegean Cup in Turkey.

Harry Nevin’s strike was enough to see the Boys in Green past the Tanzanians – who now face hosts Turkey on Thursday.

Nevin made his first start alongside fellow debutants, St. Patrick’s Athletic duo Gerard Killane and Jack O’Reilly. 

O’Reilly who almost gave Ireland the dream start after a minute when he went through on goal, but he saw his effort just go wide of the post.

A minute later, O’Reilly was involved again when the Pats man crossed to John Joe Power, but the midfielder saw his attempt blocked. 

Tanzania almost took the lead themselves, but Jack Ross was on hand to deny a one-on-one situation to keep the game scoreless.

Ross, who had denied the African opponents in the first-half, did superbly to tip Gaby Joseph Fundumo’s effort onto the cross-bar to keep Ireland in the game.

However, the winner came in the final few minutes of the 80-minute contest. After short build-up play by Ireland, Cian Kelly produced a super cross that found Nevin at the back post to slot home.

Ireland will now look forward to taking on Turkey on Thursday morning, before they face Kosovo at 9am Irish time on January 21^st.