Republic of Ireland have ended their warm-up schedule ahead of Euro 2016 on a disappointing note after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Belarus at Turners Cross.
With places up for grabs in Martin O'Neill's 23-man squad, Ireland started with the greater urgency but all they had to show from the opening 15 minutes was a header that was glanced well wide of the far post by Ciaran Clark.
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However, just before the midway point of the first half, Belarus took a surprise lead when Mikhail Hardzeichuk was given too much time and space from 25 yards out and he took advantage by curling the ball into the far corner of Shay Given's net.
The home side improved soon after falling behind with David Meyler forcing a save out of the goalkeeper, but Ireland were lacking a cutting edge in attack and Belarus almost capitalised by scoring a second goal, with only Given pulling off a tremendous stop to deny Maksim Valadzko.
Ireland returned for the second half on the front foot and almost found an equaliser just before the hour mark when Clark saw a header saved by Syarhey Chernik, who was also on hand to deny Jeff Hendrick who had collected the rebound.
However, Belarus doubled their advantage soon afterwards through Valadzko, who got down the left flank before cutting inside onto his right foot and finding the far corner with the aid of a deflection.
The goal could have potentially deflated Ireland but the introduction of Shane Long soon resulted in the deficit being halved, with the attacker flicking the ball into the path of Stephen Ward who found the bottom corner from 12 yards.
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Substitutions continued to come thick and fast for Ireland but they remained a threat in the final third with Long and James McClean both going close to a leveller.
They could not force a way through a determined Belarus backline, though, and O'Neill has plenty of work to do ahead of their Euro 2016 opener against Sweden on June 13.
Darren Plant
