ARGYLE youngster Damien McCrory played the full 90 minutes as the Republic of Ireland U19 lost 1-0 to Portugal and then again as they lost 1-0 to the Ukraine.

Arsenal's Rui Fonte grabbed the only goal of the game for Portugal although Callum Morris and Gavin Gulling both went close for the Irish.

Meanwhile, in the Ukraine match, Korkishko Dmytriy's swerving free-kick was the difference between the sides.

The squad is currently competing in the Midlands International Tournament as a warm-up for next summer's European Championship.

McCrory burst onto the scene at Argyle during the pre-season tour of Austria by coming off the bench to net an equaliser against Greuther Furth.

Manager Paul Sturrock rates McCrory as one for the future and has hinted that the young winger may even come into his first-team plans later in the season.

The Young Irish squad will play their final game of the mini-tournament against Spain on Thursday at Lissywollen, the home of Athlone Town AFC.