Tom Mohan's side reached the UEFA U17 Finals last season and are looking to get the qualification process off to a good start in Finland next month.
The Irish started well with Stevenage's Michael Cregan almost breaking through on goal in the opening seconds.
Cregan had a powerful effort saved by the home keeper in the fifth minute and Ireland looked to be finding their feet despite the testing 37 degree heat.
Irish keeper Mark Travers was tested following a Hungary corner in the 18th minute and did well to keep the effort out but less than a minute later the home side broke the deadlock.
Levente Sazbo found the net after Travers and his defence failed to deal with a dangerous ball into the box and the Hungarian attacker headed over the Irish keeper for a simple finish.
Tyreke Wilson produced a testing free-kick for Ireland in the 33rd minute but the strike shaved the outside of the keeper's right hand post. Two minutes before the break Jayson Molumby's cross found the head of Cregan but he headed narrowly wide.
Ireland started well in the second half and had two chances in the opening minutes but each went wide of the home goal.
Unfortunately for Mohan's side they fell behind to a second goal in the 61st minute when Wilson conceded a penalty and Mark Bencze fired home from the spot-kick.
Wilson was then in the right place to make an impressive clearance off the line in the 67th minute.
Rian O'Sullivan had a shot over in the 70th minute but neither side really threatened a further goal. The sides will meet again on Thursday morning.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Mark Travers, Daniel McKenna, Tyreke Wilson , Dara O'Shea , Declan Rice, Jayson Molumby, Jack Clarke, Michael Cregan, Kian Flanagan , Luke Kiely, Rian O'Sullivan. Subs: Caoimhin Fowler for Kiely 30 mins; Callum Nicell for Clarke 50; Canice Carroll for O'Shea 60; Alec Byrne for Cregan 68.
FIXTURES
Tuesday, September 1
U17 International Friendly
Hungary 2-0 Republic of Ireland, Bük (HUN)
Thursday, September 3
U17 International Friendly
Hungary v Republic of Ireland, Bük (HUN), 10:00 (Irish Time). |
