Clinton Morrison, the Crystal Palace forward who has pledged to become Ireland's number one striker in the very near future, was given a tough international baptism as the Republic's plucky under-21 side were beaten by a 38th-minute goal in their European Championship qualifier against classy Portugal at Tolka Park last night.

Morrison was plunged in for a testing debut against the best side in Group Two and, despite a willing spirit, was hauled off in the 75th minute in favour of Shelbourne's Richie Foran.

Morrison made a bright start, failing by inches to connect at full stretch with a low cross by strike partner Graham Barrett in the opening minute.

But he was soon smothered in a stranglehold of tight-marking by Portugal's rugged central defenders Antonio Tonel and Marco Caneira.

Portugal built on that solid base to out-play the Irish in midfield and there were a clutch of near-misses - Hugo Leal firing inches over, Candido da Costa heading just wide and goalkeeper Joe Murphy heroically blocking Luis Miguel's shot with an outstretched leg.

It was simplicity itself when Miguel's angled pass sent Simao in behind Ireland captain Barry Quinn to clinically steer a low shot beyond the exposed Murphy.

Simao ought to have made it two three minutes later when heading Paulo da Costa's superbly-judged right-wing cross straight at the goalkeeper from a few yards out.

In the second half, Centre back Andy O'Brien went closest to an equaliser with a skimming, low drive from distance in the 70th minute, his effort finishing just past the far post.

REP OF IRELAND U21: Joe Murphy, Barry Quinn, O'Shea, Andrew O'Brien, Clarke, Byrne, James O'Connor, Healy, Reid, Barrett, Morrison. Subs: Roche, Reddy, Foran, Foy, Butler, Goodwin, Delaney.

PORTUGAL U21: Leite, Ferreira, Caneira, Tonel, Fredy, Leal, Candido Costa, Ednilson, Sergio, Sabrosa, Montero. Subs: Marcio Santos, Carreira, Alhandra, Tiago, Semedo, Teixeira.

Referee: G Kaznaferis (Greece).