Ireland claim first win under interim manager John O'Shea at the third time of asking against Hungary

Republic Of Ireland 2

Hungary 1

Corkman Adam Idah was on the scoresheet as the Republic Of Ireland secured victory over Hungary in this international friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.

The interim Ireland manager John O’Shea had Cork representation in the starting eleven through goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher and Idah in attack, after an impressive loan spell with Celtic and fresh off scoring the winner in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Rangers last month.

After a breakthrough campaign in the French top flight with Lyon, Youghal native Jake O’Brien made his senior Ireland debut coming on as a substitute in the second half.

While another Corkman made the matchday squad in former Cork City and Fleetwood goalkeeper David Harrington.

Hungary will be at the upcoming Euro 2024 in a group alongside Germany, Scotland and Switzerland. 

It was the visitors who went close to opening the scoring with 13 minutes played on the clock, when Loic Nego fired just over from inside the box following hesitant Irish defending by Shane Duffy.

On 18 minutes Ireland threatened when Idah went on a dangerous attacking run towards the box, but he was denied by solid defending by Ádám Lang.

Just before the half hour mark, Hungary forced a save out of Kelleher, when a Milos Kerkez strike forced the Liverpool netminder into action.

Somewhat against the run of play, it was Ireland that took the lead with 36 minutes played on the clock. 

After Will Smallbone got into space down the wing before crossing delicately, on hand to bury his header into the back of the net was that man Idah.

The Irish lead was short lived and only lasted four minutes when Hungary got back on level terms. 

After Willi Orbán flicked a header on, at the back post free and waiting was Ádám Lang to finish from a few yards out.

Just before half time, Idah got on the end of a Robbie Brady free kick, but on this particular occasion his header went wide.

Hungary threatened to go in front early into the second half, as Ireland were finding it difficult to get out of their own half.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai ran at the heart of the Irish defence before picking out Roland Sallai and he forced a fine save out of Kelleher. 

From the resulting corner, the former Ringmahon Rangers man was forced to make another stop from a long range András Schäfer strike.

The second half exchanges though proved overall to be scrappy and disjointed. Ireland looked to inject life into proceedings on 81 minutes, when Callum O’Dowda and Sammie Szmodics combined well, with a cross from the latter evading Michael Obafemi in the box.

Hungary moments later went down the other end and Sallai forced a comfortable save from Kelleher.

Ireland got the winner in second half stoppage time, as Troy Parrott found the net after running through on the counter attack.

Next up for Ireland is an away trip to face Portugal in another friendly on Tuesday June 11th. 

The next time the Boys In Green line out at the Aviva will be against England for their UEFA Nations League clash on the 7th of September.

The key question is will Ireland finally have a new permanent manager at long last appointed by then?

IRELAND: Caoimhín Kelleher; Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy , Dara O'Shea; Matt Doherty , Josh Cullen, Will Smallbone , Robbie Brady; Finn Azaz, Sammie Szmodics; Adam Idah.

Subs: Jake O’Brien for Doherty, Liam Scales for Duffy (both HT), Troy Parrott for Azaz, Callum O’Dowda for Brady (both 62), Michael Obafemi for Idah(71), Jason Knight for Cullen (79).

HUNGARY: Péter Gulácsi; Ádám Lang, Márton Dárdai, Willi Orbán; Milos Kerkez, Ádám Nagy, András Schäfer, Loic Nego; Barnabás Varga, Dominik Szoboszlai; Roland Sallai Subs: Dénes Dibusz for Gulácsi, Endre Botka for Nego (both HT), László Kleinheisler for Varga (61) , Zsolt Nagy for Kerkez (70), Callum Styles for Schäfer (71), Botond Balogh for Lang (73).

Referee: Luis Godinho(Portugal).