IRELAND'S under 17s lost their opening UEFA Under 17s Championship match against France 2-1 on Sunday.

Featuring Rovers' duo Aaron Doran and Gavin Gunning, Doran on the right wing and Gunning at left-back, and it was the Rovers winger Doran who went close to opening the scoring for the Irish on 25 minutes, but his superb 40 yard strike was tipped over the crossbar.

But Ireland didn't have long to wait to take the lead, from a Gunning throw-in, Greg Cunningham squared the ball to Paul Murphy who drove the ball home from close-range.

France grew stronger in the second half and just past the hour mark Tafer levelled for the highly-rated French.

But as the game looked to be heading towards a creditable draw, France struck deep into stoppage time when a Gunning clearance fell kindly to Lacazette he broke Ireland's hearts by firing home.

Sean McCaffrey's side have to quickly pick themselves up, as they face Switzerland on Wednesday. The Swiss also tasted defeat in their opening match going down 2-1 to Spain.