Billy Clarke won his fourth U21 cap and Owen Garvan his first as the Republic of Ireland lost 2-0 to Portugal in Cork in their opening European Championship qualifier.
Striker Clarke played from the start in a wide left role and had some bright moments, despite being harshly booked for an alleged dive early on.
Garvan, previously withdrawn by Town when called up to the U21 squad, was introduced as a half-time sub with the Irish already behind to a much superior Portuguese side. The 19-year-old made a quick impression with some incisive passing from the centre of midfield and was his side's outstanding player during the second period.
Also in the Irish side were Aston Villa's Stephen O'Halloran, linked with a loan move to the Blues, and Richard Keogh, a former schoolboy with the Town academy, who was also a ballboy at Portman Road.
Meanwhile, Chris Casement won his sixth Northern Ireland U21 cap as his side lost 3-0 to Germany in their first qualifier in Lurgan.
Republic of Ireland U21s: Randolph (Charlton Athletic), Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), Keogh (Bristol City, on loan at Huddersfield), O'Dea (Celtic), O'Halloran (Aston Villa), Gleeson (Wolves) (Collins, Huddersfield Town 68), Cregg (Falkirk) (Garvan, Ipswich Town 46), Quinn (Sheffield United), O'Brien (Celtic), Rooney (Stoke City, on loan at Chesterfield), Clarke (Ipswich Town).
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