ROVERS defender Gavin Gunning was on the scoresheet for the Republic of Ireland under 17 side in their UEFA Qualifier against Greece but it wasn't enough to stop them slipping to a 2-1 defeat in Athlone.

The visitors took the lead just before the break but Gunning levelled four minutes after the restart, heading home a corner kick.

But twenty minutes from time the Greek's regained the lead and there was no way back for the Irish side that also included Rovers' 16-year-old winger Aaron Doran.

The result now means that Ireland have to defeat Portugal in their final group game on Tuesday and hope that Germany do the same to Greece to give the Irish any chance of qualifying for the finals.

In Galway Germany slipped to a 2-0 defeat by Portugal. Rovers' Academy 'keeper Bjorn Bussman was in goal for the German side.