Academy striker Ronan Murray was unlucky to have goal disallowed as the Republic of Ireland U19s lost their opening European Championships elite qualifying group game 1-0 to Belgium last night.

The 17-year-old's first half header was wrongly disallowed for offside moments before the Belgians, who are hosting the four-team mini-tournament, went in front. Murray was replaced at the break as he won his third U19 cap.

The Irish youngsters now face Switzerland on Sunday and Sweden next Wednesday, the Swiss having beaten the Swedes 3-1 yesterday.

The winners of the group go through to the finals in Ukraine in July.

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