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Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Republic of Ireland Under-21
NicknameBoys in Green
AssociationFootball Association of Ireland (FAI)
Head coachJim Crawford
CaptainJoe Hodge
Most capsConor Coventry (28)
Top scorerRobbie Brady (7)
Kevin Doyle (7)
Sinclair Armstrong (7)
First colours
Second colours
First international
Republic of Ireland Rep. Ireland 1–1 Northern Ireland Northern Ireland
(Dublin; 8 March 1978)
Biggest win
San Marino San Marino 0–7 Rep. Ireland Republic of Ireland
(Serravalle, San Marino; 22 March 2024)
Biggest defeat
Germany Germany 8–0 Rep. Ireland Republic of Ireland
(Baunatal, Germany; 23 March 1993)
UEFA U-21 Championship
AppearancesHave never qualified

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.

History

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As 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

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UEFA 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
France 1994 8 1 1 6 7 20
Spain 1996 8 2 2 4 7 9
Romania 1998 8 3 0 5 11 7
Slovakia 2000 8 4 2 2 13 12
Switzerland 2002 8 4 1 3 10 7
Germany 2004 8 2 2 4 8 11
Portugal 2006 8 1 2 5 10 14
Netherlands 2007 2 1 0 1 2 1
Sweden 2009 8 1 2 5 4 14
Denmark 2011 10 1 4 5 5 11
Israel 2013 8 4 1 3 15 10
Czech Republic 2015 8 2 2 4 10 12
Poland 2017 10 4 0 6 14 17
Italy 2019 10 4 2 4 12 15
Hungary Slovenia 2021 10 6 1 3 15 8
Romania Georgia (country) 2023 12 6 3 3 17 11
Slovakia 2025 10 5 4 1 24 12
Albania Serbia 2027 To be determined 3 2 1 0 5 3
Total - 147 50 32 65 189 202
*Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

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2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Slovakia 4 3 1 0 10 4 +6 10 Final tournament 18 Nov 25 Sep '26 2–0 13 Nov 3–0
2  England 3 3 0 0 7 0 +7 9 Play-offs 2 Oct '26 14 Nov 31 Mar '26 25 Sep '26 1–0
3  Republic of Ireland 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 7 2–2 6 Oct '26 26 Mar '26 29 Sep '26 1–0
4  Moldova 5 1 0 4 6 11 −5 3 2–3 0–4 1–2 6 Oct '26 3–0
5  Kazakhstan 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 3 27 Mar '26 0–2 31 Mar '26 17 Nov 1–0
6  Andorra 6 1 0 5 1 9 −8 3 6 Oct '26 27 Mar '26 18 Nov 2 Oct '26 1–0
Updated to match(es) played on 14 October 2025. Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2024

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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 Belarus
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 Austria
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

2025

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21 March Friendly Republic of Ireland  0–2  Scotland San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:00 GMT Joe Gardner soccer ball with red X 88' Report Bobby Wales 5'
Jude Bonnar 77'
Stadium: Pinatar Arena
24 March Friendly Republic of Ireland  3–1  Hungary San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:00 GMT Mason Melia 16' (pen.)
Conor McManus 79', 84'
Report Gábor Jurek 33' Stadium: Pinatar Arena
10 June Friendly  Republic of Ireland 0–0  Qatar Zagreb, Croatia
17:00 GMT Report Stadium: Gradski Stadion
Referee: I. Vuckovic Croatia
4 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification Moldova  1–2  Republic of Ireland Nisporeni, Moldova
17:00 GMT Mihai Lupan 23' Report Mason Melia 37', 74' Stadium: Nisporeni Central Stadium
Attendance: 1,180
Referee: Klym Zabroda Ukraine

2026

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Staff

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The Under-21s' management team includes:[1]

Position Name Appointed
Head coach Republic of Ireland Jim Crawford 5 April 2020
Assistant coach Republic of Ireland Paul McShane 28 August 2023
Goalkeeping coach Republic of Ireland Rene Gilmartin 24 April 2020
Lead Performance Analyst Republic of Ireland Martin Doyle April 2020
Sports Scientist Republic of Ireland Paul Walsh 18 March 2023
Sports Scientist Republic of Ireland Paul Gavin 18 March 2025
Chartered Physiotherapist Brazil Glauber Barduzzi 24 April 2019
Athletic Therapist Republic of Ireland Kieran Murray 19 March 2022
Doctor Republic of Ireland Dr Mortimer O'Connor March 2021
Kitman Republic of Ireland John Crudden May 2023

Players

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Current squad

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Players 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 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification fixtures against England and Andorra on 14 and 18 November 2025.

Caps and goals updated as of 10 October 2025, after the game vs Slovakia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Noah Jauny (2004-08-26) 26 August 2004 (age 21) 6 0 French Football Federation Brest
1GK Aaron Maguire (2004-07-25) 25 July 2004 (age 21) 3 0 The Football Association Tottenham Hotspur
1GK Conor Walsh (2005-03-17) 17 March 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Football Association of Ireland Sligo Rovers

2DF James Abankwah (captain) (2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 (age 21) 12 0 The Football Association Watford
2DF Seán Grehan (2004-01-08) 8 January 2004 (age 21) 11 0 The Football Association Doncaster Rovers
2DF Alex Murphy (2004-06-25) 25 June 2004 (age 21) 9 0 The Football Association Newcastle United
2DF Jacob Slater (2004-10-05) 5 October 2004 (age 21) 7 0 The Football Association Harrogate Town
2DF David Okagbue (2004-02-04) 4 February 2004 (age 21) 4 0 The Football Association Peterborough United
2DF Conor McManus (2004-06-16) 16 June 2004 (age 21) 1 2 The Football Association Brentford

3MF Jamie Mullins (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 (age 21) 9 2 The Football Association Wycombe Wanderers
3MF Adam Murphy (2005-04-08) 8 April 2005 (age 20) 8 0 The Football Association Swindon Town
3MF Darius Lipsiuc (2005-09-16) 16 September 2005 (age 20) 7 0 The Football Association Solihull Moors
3MF Harry Vaughan (2004-04-06) 6 April 2004 (age 21) 7 0 The Football Association Hull City
3MF Jacob Devaney (2007-06-11) 11 June 2007 (age 18) 4 0 The Football Association Manchester United
3MF Jack Moorhouse (2005-11-29) 29 November 2005 (age 19) 1 0 The Football Association Leyton Orient
3MF Romeo Akachukwu (2006-05-28) 28 May 2006 (age 19) 0 0 The Football Association Southampton

4FW Mark O'Mahony (2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 (age 20) 13 1 The Football Association Reading
4FW Jad Hakiki (2004-06-23) 23 June 2004 (age 21) 8 1 Football Association of Ireland Sligo Rovers
4FW Mason Melia (2007-09-22) 22 September 2007 (age 18) 4 3 Football Association of Ireland St Patrick's Athletic
4FW Trent Koné-Doherty (2006-06-30) 30 June 2006 (age 19) 2 0 The Football Association Liverpool
4FW Tommy Lonergan (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Football Association of Ireland Waterford
4FW Cian Dillon (2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 (age 19) 2 0 The Football Association Enfield Town

Recent call-ups

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The 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 (2005-12-01) 1 December 2005 (age 19) 1 0 England Stockport County v.  Andorra, 9 September 2025
GK Killian Barrett (2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 (age 21) 0 0 England Sheffield Wednesday v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
GK Owen Mason (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 21) 0 0 England Mansfield Town v.  Latvia, 13 October 2023PRE

DF Freddie Turley (2006-07-03) 3 July 2006 (age 19) 0 0 England Derby County v.  Andorra, 9 September 2025
DF Sam Curtis (2005-12-01) 1 December 2005 (age 19) 15 1 England Sheffield United v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
DF Gabriel Otegbayo (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005 (age 20) 2 0 England Sheffield Wednesday v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
DF Cory O'Sullivan (2006-05-02) 2 May 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
DF Connor O'Brien (2004-07-12) 12 July 2004 (age 21) 7 0 England Accrington Stanley v.  Hungary, 24 March 2025
DF Connor Barratt (2004-04-05) 5 April 2004 (age 21) 2 0 England Barnsley v.  Hungary, 24 March 2025

MF Cathal McCarthy (2006-08-31) 31 August 2006 (age 19) 2 0 England Hull City v.  Slovakia, 10 October 2025
MF James McManus (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Republic of Ireland Bohemians v.  Slovakia, 10 October 2025
MF Ed McJannet (2004-01-25) 25 January 2004 (age 21) 6 0 Italy Ternana v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 20) 4 0 England Southampton v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Cathal O'Sullivan (2007-03-05) 5 March 2007 (age 18) 2 0 Republic of Ireland Cork City v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Ronan Maher (2004-12-30) 30 December 2004 (age 20) 2 0 England Walsall v.  Hungary, 24 March 2025
MF Glory Nzingo (2004-11-04) 4 November 2004 (age 21) 2 0 United States Carolina Core v.  Sweden, 17 November 2024

FW Joe Gardner (2005-06-06) 6 June 2005 (age 20) 3 0 England Mansfield Town v.  England, 14 November 2025INJ
FW Rocco Vata (2005-04-18) 18 April 2005 (age 20) 10 6 England Watford v.  Slovakia, 10 October 2025
FW Michael Noonan (2008-07-31) 31 July 2008 (age 17) 3 1 Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers v.  Slovakia, 10 October 2025
FW Leon Ayinde (2004-09-05) 5 September 2004 (age 21) 1 0 England Ipswich Town v.  Slovakia, 10 October 2025
FW Warren Davis (2005-04-02) 2 April 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Republic of Ireland Drogheda United v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
FW Franco Umeh (2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 20) 2 0 England Crystal Palace v.  Hungary, 24 March 2025
FW Sean Moore (2005-08-13) 13 August 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Republic of Ireland Shelbourne v.  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Kevin Zefi (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Italy AS Roma v.  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Ben Quinn (2004-11-11) 11 November 2004 (age 21) 1 0 England Mansfield Town v.  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Adrien Thibaut (2004-07-11) 11 July 2004 (age 21) 1 0 England Crewe Alexandra v.  Sweden, 17 November 2024

INJ Withdrew from latest squad due to injury
WD Withdrew from latest squad
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
SUS Player is suspended
SEN Player called up to Senior squad

Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the senior team.

References

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  1. ^ "Jim Crawford names Under-21 squad for Türkiye & Latvia EURO Qualifiers". www.fai.ie.
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