Garvan’s stunning display was the highlight of a superb team performance, as Ireland fought back from 2-0 to earn a point in their final match of the UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifiers.

Ireland ‘keeper Shane Redmond was called into action after four minutes when he produced a superb save from Manuel Fernandes’ free kick from 25 yards.

Just one minute later Ireland registered their first effort, Alan Judge heading over from Owen Garvan’s cross.

A blistering opening period was almost marked by the first goal on 11 minutes when Vieirinha found space but his powerful effort was pushed wide by Redmond for a corner.

Garvan was again at the centre of events on 14 minutes when he drilled the ball across the Portuguese goal but unfortunately for the Ireland Number 10 there were no green shirts in the six yard box to tap home.

Ireland were on the attack again shortly after the half hour but Alan Judge’s ball over the top was just to far ahead of the on-rushing Padraig Amond.

It was the home side who took the lead, however. Vieirinha won possession just outside the box and found Vaz Te on the penalty spot, who drilled low into the corner to give Portugal the lead.

Despite continuing to play well, Ireland found themselves two down in first-half stoppage time when Fernandes volleyed into net from six yards.

Ireland got themselves right back into the game four minutes after the restart. Sean Scannell broke down the left and pulled the ball back for Owen Garvan to shot home from 12 yards.

Two minutes later Ireland were almost level. Garvan’s free kick bounced around the six yard box and James McCarthy toe-poked the ball goalward but his effort could not find a way through a sea of red shirts.

McCarthy again came close to his debut goal on 60 minutes when he narrowly failed to connect with Garvan’s cross.

As a resurgent Ireland pushed forward in waves, the magnificent Garvan almost got the equaliser on 63 minutes when he played a superb one-two with Alan Judge. However, the on-rushing Ricardo Batista reached the ball just ahead of the Ireland midfielder.

Garvan was pulling all the strings and the 20-year-old Dubliner drew matters level after 65 minutes. Sean Scannell won the ball and played it through to Garvan, who did brilliantly to turn and shoot into the far corner from 15 yards.

Alan Judge’s long range effort on 72 minutes wasn’t far off target. It was to be Judge’s last action of the game, as injury forced his withdrawal shortly after.

Saleiro was introduced to spice up the home attack and his introduction almost paid off immediately when his low shot from the edge of the box rolled inches wide.

Moments later the post came to Ireland’s rescue after Helder Barbosa’s shot found its way through a crowded defence.

Substitute Karl Moore could have won all three points for Ireland in injury time but he pulled his shot wide after Sean Scannell had set up a good opportunity.

Portugal: Rui Patricio (Ricardo Batista, 28 mins.), Nuno Andre Coelho, Pele, Goncalo Brandao (Helder Barbosa, 60 mins), Paulo Machado, Vieirinha, Manuel Fernandes (Cap), Miguel Veloso, Vasco Fernandes (Saleiro, 72 mins), Manuel Da Costa, Vaz Te

Substitutes not used: Miguel Lopes, Joao Moreira, Bruno Gama, Vitor Vinha

Republic of Ireland: Shane Redmond, Seamus Coleman, Michael Liddle, Michael Spillane, Eddie Nolan, Jimmy Ryan (Stephen Gleeson h/t), Alan Judge (Simon Madden, 79 mins), James McCarthy, Owen Garvan, Padraig Amond (Karl Moore h/t), Sean Scannell

Substitutes not used: Stephen Henderson, Brendan Moloney, James Berrett, Darren Dennehy

Referee: Jerome Efong Nzolo (Belgium)