Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team is a representative team of Irish football players. It is governed by the Football Association of Ireland and represents them at Under-21 level against the national teams of other national associations. The team played its first match in 1978 and has competed in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship since 1988.
Nickname(s) | Boys in Green | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Association of Ireland (FAI) | ||
Head coach | Jim Crawford | ||
Captain | Joe Hodge | ||
Most caps | Conor Coventry (28) | ||
Top scorer | Robbie Brady (7) Kevin Doyle (7) Sinclair Armstrong (7) | ||
| |||
First international | |||
Rep. Ireland 1–1 Northern Ireland (Dublin; 8 March 1978) | |||
Biggest win | |||
San Marino 0–7 Rep. Ireland (Serravalle, San Marino; 22 March 2024) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Germany 8–0 Rep. Ireland (Baunatal, Germany; 23 March 1993) | |||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | Have never qualified |
History
editAs a European under-21 team, the Republic of Ireland participates in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, which takes place every two years. There is no Under-21 World Cup, although there is an Under-20 World Cup. Ireland did not enter the first five Under-21 Championships, entering for the first time in 1988 but failing to qualify. Ireland have never qualified for the European Under-21 Championships.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship record
editUEFA European Under-21 Football Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification record | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1978 | did not enter | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||||||
1980 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||
1982 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||
1984 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||
1986 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||||
1988 | did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |||||||
1990 | did not enter | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||||||
1992 | did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 14 | |||||||
1994 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 20 | ||||||||
1996 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 | ||||||||
1998 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 7 | ||||||||
2000 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 12 | ||||||||
2002 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 7 | ||||||||
2004 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 | ||||||||
2006 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 14 | ||||||||
2007 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
2009 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 14 | ||||||||
2011 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 11 | ||||||||
2013 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 10 | ||||||||
2015 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||
2017 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 17 | ||||||||
2019 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 15 | ||||||||
2021 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 8 | ||||||||
2023 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 11 | ||||||||
2025 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 12 | ||||||||
Total | – | 144 | 48 | 31 | 65 | 184 | 199 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
edit2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Italy | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 4 | +23 | 22 | Final tournament | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 7–0 | |
2 | Norway | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 11 | +17 | 19[a] | Play-offs | 0–3 | — | 3–2 | 5–1 | 7–0 | 4–0 | |
3 | Republic of Ireland | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 12 | +12 | 19[a] | 2–2 | 1–1 | — | 3–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | ||
4 | Turkey | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 15 | +6 | 13 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–1 | — | 3–0 | 5–0 | ||
5 | Latvia | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 18 | −8 | 11 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | — | 2–0 | ||
6 | San Marino | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 51 | −50 | 0 | 0–7 | 0–7 | 0–7 | 1–6 | 0–3 | — |
Results and fixtures
edit2023
edit26 March Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 2–1 | Iceland | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
16:00 GMT | Tom Cannon 23' Festy Ebosele 29' Johnny Kenny 82' |
Report | Kristall Máni Ingason 14' | Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 6,000 |
13 June Friendly | Republic of Ireland | C–C | Gabon | Austria |
17:00 GMT | Report | |||
Note: Fixture cancelled on 12 June as Gabon elected not to travel to Austria for the fixture. |
16 June Friendly | Ukraine | 2–2 | Republic of Ireland | Bad Blumau, Austria |
17:00 GMT | Artem Bondarenko 16' (pen.) Danylo Sikan 73' (pen.) |
Andrew Moran 45+5' Bosun Lawal 82' |
Stadium: Union Sport-Club Blumau |
19 June Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 3–0 | Kuwait | Bad Radkersburg, Austria |
16:00 GMT | Ollie O'Neill 5' Conor Carty 7' Aidomo Emakhu 52' |
Report | Stadium: Parktherme Arena | |
Note: Fixture abandoned after 70 minutes due to a racist comment by a Kuwait player towards Ireland substitute Sinclair Armstrong. |
8 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 3–2 | Turkey | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
19:30 GMT | Andrew Moran 56' Zak Gilsenan 87' (pen.) Aidomo Emakhu 90+6' Sean Roughan 90+9' |
Report | Kenan Yıldız 22' (pen.) Cihan Çanak 76' |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,754 Referee: Joonas Jaanovits (Estonia) |
12 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 3–0 | San Marino | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
19:30 GMT | Rocco Vata 8' Rocco Vata 45+2' Sinclair Armstrong 66' |
Report | Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,826 Referee: Antoine Paul Chiaramonti (Andorra) |
13 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Latvia | 1–2 | Republic of Ireland | Jelgava, Latvia |
13:00 GMT | Lūkass Vapne 90+2' | Report | Armstrong Oko-Flex 15' Armstrong Oko-Flex 57' |
Stadium: Zemgale Olympic Center Attendance: 274 Referee: Oliver Reitala (Finland) |
17 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Norway | 3–2 | Republic of Ireland | Drammen, Norway |
17:00 GMT | Halvor Rødølen Opsahl 20' Kristian Arnstad 72' (pen.) Lasse Selvåg Nordås 77' |
Report | Aidomo Emakhu 37' Sinclair Armstrong 53' |
Stadium: Marienlyst Stadion Attendance: 566 Referee: Walter Altmann (Austria) |
21 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 2–2 | Italy | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
17:30 GMT | Killian Phillips 31' Sinclair Armstrong 48' |
Report | Wilfried Gnonto 45+1' (pen.) Wilfried Gnonto 90+6' |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 6,157 Referee: Lionel Tschudi (Switzerland) |
2024
edit22 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | San Marino | 0–7 | Republic of Ireland | Serravalle, San Marino |
17:00 GMT | Report | Sinclair Armstrong 26' Andrew Moran 53' Sinclair Armstrong 57' Rocco Vata 62' Rocco Vata 64' Armstrong Oko-Flex 73' Rocco Vata 90+1' |
Stadium: San Marino Stadium Attendance: 213 Referee: Viktor Kopiievskyi |
7 June Friendly | Croatia | 2–3 | Republic of Ireland | Zagreb, Croatia |
17:00 GMT | Igor Matanović 62' Matija Frigan 74' (pen.) |
Report | Andrew Moran 11' Sinclair Armstrong 14' Aidomo Emakhu 52' |
Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: Filip Dragašević |
11 June Friendly | England | 2–2 | Republic of Ireland | Zagreb, Croatia |
15:00 GMT | Archie Brown 45+2' Dane Scarlett 47' (pen.) |
Joe Hodge 4' Armstrong Oko-Flex 88' |
Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: Ivan Vučkovič |
6 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Turkey | 0–1 | Republic of Ireland | Istanbul, Turkey |
17:45 GMT | Report | Sam Curtis 84' | Stadium: Esenler Stadium Attendance: 2,188 Referee: Amine Kourgheli |
10 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 2–2 | Latvia | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
17:00 GMT | Sinclair Armstrong 16' Sean Roughan 65' |
Report | Kaspars Anmanis 42' Ivans Patrikejevs 63' |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 953 Referee: Stefan Ebner |
11 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 1–1 | Norway | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
19:00 GMT | Sean Roughan 75' | Report | Andreas Schjelderup 90+3' | Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 5,754 Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas |
15 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Italy | 1–1 | Republic of Ireland | Trieste, Italy |
17:30 GMT | Cesare Casadei 23' | Report | Andrew Moran 66' | Stadium: Stadio Nereo Rocco Referee: Adam Ladebäck |
14 November Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | Sweden | Marbella, Spain |
19:00 GMT | Report | Hampus Skoglund 48' Richie Omorowa 87' |
Stadium: Marbella Football Centre |
17 November Friendly | Sweden | 2–3 | Republic of Ireland | Marbella, Spain |
14:00 GMT | Peter Amoran 34' Lukas Björklund 58' |
Report | Jamie Mullins 15' Rocco Vata 46' Mark O'Mahony 50' |
Stadium: Marbella Football Centre |
Staff
editThe Under-21s' management team includes:[1]
Position | Name | Appointed |
---|---|---|
Head coach | Jim Crawford | 5 April 2020 |
Assistant coach | Paul McShane | 28 August 2023 |
Assistant coach | Stephen Rice | 29 August 2024 |
Goalkeeping coach | Rene Gilmartin | 24 April 2020 |
Lead Performance Analyst | Martin Doyle | April 2020 |
Sports Scientist | Paul Walsh | 18 March 2023 |
Sports Scientist | Adam Fox | June 2021 |
Chartered Physiotherapist | Glauber Barduzzi | 24 April 2019 |
Athletic Therapist | Kieran Murray | March 2022 |
Doctor | Dr Mortimer O'Connor | March 2021 |
Performance Nutritionist | Ian Byrne | March 2023 |
Kitman | John Crudden | May 2023 |
Players
editCurrent squad
editPlayers born on or after 1 January 2004 are eligible for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The following players were called up for the Friendly fixtures against Sweden U21 in Marbella, Spain on 14 & 17 November 2024.[2]
Caps and goals updated as of 17 November 2024, after the game vs Sweden.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Conor Walsh | 17 March 2005 | 1 | 0 | Sligo Rovers |
16 | GK | Noah Jauny | 26 August 2004 | 1 | 0 | Brest |
23 | GK | Aaron Maguire | 25 July 2004 | 1 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
4 | DF | James Abankwah (captain) | 16 January 2004 | 9 | 0 | Udinese |
5 | DF | Seán Grehan | 8 January 2004 | 5 | 0 | Crystal Palace |
3 | DF | Connor O'Brien | 12 July 2004 | 5 | 0 | Accrington Stanley |
17 | DF | Alex Murphy | 25 June 2004 | 4 | 0 | Newcastle United |
2 | DF | Jacob Slater | 5 October 2004 | 2 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
14 | DF | Darius Lipsiuc | 16 September 2005 | 2 | 0 | Stoke City |
22 | DF | David Okagbue | 5 October 2003 | 1 | 0 | Walsall |
12 | DF | Gabriel Otegbayo | 11 February 2005 | 0 | 0 | Sheffield Wednesday |
24 | MF | Rocco Vata | 18 April 2005 | 7 | 6 | Watford |
11 | MF | Ed McJannet | 25 January 2004 | 4 | 0 | Lecce |
8 | MF | Jamie Mullins | 29 September 2004 | 2 | 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
13 | MF | Glory Nzingo | 4 November 2004 | 2 | 0 | Swansea City |
20 | MF | Jad Hakiki | 23 June 2004 | 2 | 0 | Sligo Rovers |
21 | MF | Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh | 11 May 2005 | 2 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
6 | MF | Harry Vaughan | 6 April 2004 | 1 | 0 | Hull City |
9 | FW | Mark O'Mahony | 15 January 2005 | 7 | 1 | Portsmouth |
15 | FW | Tommy Lonergan | 2 January 2004 | 2 | 0 | Fleetwood Town |
19 | FW | Sean Moore | 13 August 2005 | 2 | 0 | West Ham United |
7 | FW | Kevin Zefi | 11 February 2005 | 1 | 0 | AS Roma |
10 | FW | Ben Quinn | 11 November 2004 | 1 | 0 | Mansfield Town |
18 | FW | Adrien Thibaut | 11 July 2004 | 1 | 0 | Crewe Alexandra |
Recent call-ups
editThe following players have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad and remain eligible:
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Andrew Wogan | 1 December 2005 | 0 | 0 | Stockport County | v. San Marino, 22 March 2024 |
GK | Owen Mason | 24 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Gateshead | v. Latvia, 13 October 2023PRE |
DF | Sam Curtis | 1 December 2005 | 14 | 1 | Peterborough United | v. Italy, 15 October 2024 |
MF | Adam Murphy | 8 April 2005 | 2 | 0 | Bristol City | v. Sweden, 14 November 2024INJ |
FW | Franco Umeh | 26 January 2005 | 0 | 0 | Crystal Palace | v. Italy, 15 October 2024 |
FW | Mason Melia | 22 September 2007 | 0 | 0 | St Patrick's Athletic | v. Norway, 11 October 2024INJ |
INJ Withdrew from latest squad due to injury |
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the senior team.