Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
| Nickname | 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 | |||
(Dublin; 8 March 1978) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
(Serravalle, San Marino; 22 March 2024) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
(Baunatal, Germany; 23 March 1993) | |||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | Have 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
[edit]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
[edit]| 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 | |||||||
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 20 | |||||||||
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 | |||||||||
| 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 7 | |||||||||
| 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 12 | |||||||||
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 | |||||||||
| 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 14 | |||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
| 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 14 | |||||||||
| 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 11 | |||||||||
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 10 | |||||||||
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 12 | |||||||||
| 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 17 | |||||||||
| 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 15 | |||||||||
| 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 8 | |||||||||
| 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 11 | |||||||||
| 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 12 | |||||||||
| 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
[edit]2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 10 | Final tournament | — | 18 Nov | 25 Sep '26 | 2–0 | 13 Nov | 3–0 | ||
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 9 | Play-offs | 2 Oct '26 | — | 14 Nov | 31 Mar '26 | 25 Sep '26 | 1–0 | ||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 7 | 2–2 | 6 Oct '26 | — | 26 Mar '26 | 29 Sep '26 | 1–0 | |||
| 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 11 | −5 | 3 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 1–2 | — | 6 Oct '26 | 3–0 | |||
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 3 | 27 Mar '26 | 0–2 | 31 Mar '26 | 17 Nov | — | 1–0 | |||
| 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 3 | 6 Oct '26 | 27 Mar '26 | 18 Nov | 2 Oct '26 | 1–0 | — |
Results and fixtures
[edit]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
[edit]| 22 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | San Marino | 0–7 | | Serravalle, San Marino |
| 17:00 GMT | Report | Sinclair Armstrong Andrew Moran Sinclair Armstrong Rocco Vata Rocco Vata Armstrong Oko-Flex Rocco Vata |
Stadium: San Marino Stadium Attendance: 213 Referee: Viktor Kopiievskyi |
| 7 June Friendly | Croatia | 2–3 | | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 17:00 GMT | Igor Matanović Matija Frigan |
Report | Andrew Moran Sinclair Armstrong Aidomo Emakhu |
Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: Filip Dragašević |
| 11 June Friendly | England | 2–2 | | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 15:00 GMT | Archie Brown Dane Scarlett |
Joe Hodge Armstrong Oko-Flex |
Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: Ivan Vučkovič |
| 6 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Turkey | 0–1 | | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 17:45 GMT | Report | Sam Curtis |
Stadium: Esenler Stadium Attendance: 2,188 Referee: Amine Kourgheli |
| 10 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 2–2 | | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| 17:00 GMT | Sinclair Armstrong Sean Roughan |
Report | Kaspars Anmanis Ivans Patrikejevs |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 953 Referee: Stefan Ebner |
| 11 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 1–1 | | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
| 19:00 GMT | Sean Roughan |
Report | Andreas Schjelderup |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 5,754 Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas |
| 15 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Italy | 1–1 | | Trieste, Italy |
| 17:30 GMT | Cesare Casadei |
Report | Andrew Moran |
Stadium: Stadio Nereo Rocco Attendance: 1,730 Referee: Adam Ladebäck |
| 14 November Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | | Marbella, Spain |
| 19:00 GMT | Report | Hampus Skoglund Richie Omorowa |
Stadium: Marbella Football Centre |
| 17 November Friendly | Sweden | 2–3 | | Marbella, Spain |
| 14:00 GMT | Peter Amoran Lukas Björklund |
Report | Jamie Mullins Rocco Vata Mark O'Mahony |
Stadium: Marbella Football Centre |
2025
[edit]| 21 March Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | | San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain |
| 19:00 GMT | Joe Gardner |
Report | Bobby Wales Jude Bonnar |
Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
| 24 March Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 3–1 | | San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain |
| 19:00 GMT | Mason Melia Conor McManus |
Report | Gábor Jurek |
Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
| 6 June Friendly | Croatia | 1–0 | | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 16:00 GMT | Fabijan Krivak |
Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: A. Culina |
| 10 June Friendly | | 0–0 | | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 17:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: I. Vuckovic |
| 4 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Moldova | 1–2 | | Nisporeni, Moldova |
| 17:00 GMT | Mihai Lupan |
Report | Mason Melia |
Stadium: Nisporeni Central Stadium Attendance: 1,180 Referee: Klym Zabroda |
| 9 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 1–0 | | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| 19:30 GMT | Michael Noonan |
Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 1,387 Referee: Heini Ziskason Viðoy |
| 10 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 2–2 | | Cork, Republic of Ireland |
| 19:30 GMT | Jamie Mullins Jad Hakiki |
Report | Mason Melia Nino Marcelli |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,872 Referee: Lionel Tschudi |
| 14 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | England | v | | Birmingham, England |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: St Andrew's |
| 18 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Andorra | v | | Andorra la Vella, Andorra |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: Estadi Nacional |
2026
[edit]| 26 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | v | | TBC, Republic of Ireland |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 31 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Kazakhstan | v | | TBC, Kazakhstan |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 25 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Slovakia | v | | TBC, Slovakia |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 29 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | v | | TBC, Republic of Ireland |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 6 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | v | | TBC, Republic of Ireland |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
Staff
[edit]The Under-21s' management team includes:[1]
| Position | Name | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | 5 April 2020 | |
| Assistant coach | 28 August 2023 | |
| Goalkeeping coach | 24 April 2020 | |
| Lead Performance Analyst | April 2020 | |
| Sports Scientist | 18 March 2023 | |
| Sports Scientist | 18 March 2025 | |
| Chartered Physiotherapist | 24 April 2019 | |
| Athletic Therapist | 19 March 2022 | |
| Doctor | March 2021 | |
| Kitman | May 2023 |
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Noah Jauny | 26 August 2004 | 6 | 0 | ||
| GK | Aaron Maguire | 25 July 2004 | 3 | 0 | ||
| GK | Conor Walsh | 17 March 2005 | 2 | 0 | ||
| DF | James Abankwah (captain) | 16 January 2004 | 12 | 0 | ||
| DF | Seán Grehan | 8 January 2004 | 11 | 0 | ||
| DF | Alex Murphy | 25 June 2004 | 9 | 0 | ||
| DF | Jacob Slater | 5 October 2004 | 7 | 0 | ||
| DF | David Okagbue | 4 February 2004 | 4 | 0 | ||
| DF | Conor McManus | 16 June 2004 | 1 | 2 | ||
| MF | Jamie Mullins | 29 September 2004 | 9 | 2 | ||
| MF | Adam Murphy | 8 April 2005 | 8 | 0 | ||
| MF | Darius Lipsiuc | 16 September 2005 | 7 | 0 | ||
| MF | Harry Vaughan | 6 April 2004 | 7 | 0 | ||
| MF | Jacob Devaney | 11 June 2007 | 4 | 0 | ||
| MF | Jack Moorhouse | 29 November 2005 | 1 | 0 | ||
| MF | Romeo Akachukwu | 28 May 2006 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FW | Mark O'Mahony | 15 January 2005 | 13 | 1 | ||
| FW | Jad Hakiki | 23 June 2004 | 8 | 1 | ||
| FW | Mason Melia | 22 September 2007 | 4 | 3 | ||
| FW | Trent Koné-Doherty | 30 June 2006 | 2 | 0 | ||
| FW | Tommy Lonergan | 2 January 2004 | 2 | 0 | ||
| FW | Cian Dillon | 4 April 2006 | 2 | 0 | ||
Recent call-ups
[edit]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 | 1 December 2005 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| GK | Killian Barrett | 15 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| GK | Owen Mason | 24 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Freddie Turley | 3 July 2006 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Sam Curtis | 1 December 2005 | 15 | 1 | v. | |
| DF | Gabriel Otegbayo | 11 February 2005 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Cory O'Sullivan | 2 May 2006 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Connor O'Brien | 12 July 2004 | 7 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Connor Barratt | 5 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Cathal McCarthy | 31 August 2006 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | James McManus | 16 March 2005 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Ed McJannet | 25 January 2004 | 6 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh | 11 May 2005 | 4 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Cathal O'Sullivan | 5 March 2007 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Ronan Maher | 30 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Glory Nzingo | 4 November 2004 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Joe Gardner | 6 June 2005 | 3 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Rocco Vata | 18 April 2005 | 10 | 6 | v. | |
| FW | Michael Noonan | 31 July 2008 | 3 | 1 | v. | |
| FW | Leon Ayinde | 5 September 2004 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Warren Davis | 2 April 2005 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Franco Umeh | 26 January 2005 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Sean Moore | 13 August 2005 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Kevin Zefi | 11 February 2005 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Ben Quinn | 11 November 2004 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Adrien Thibaut | 11 July 2004 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
INJ Withdrew from latest squad due to injury | ||||||
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the senior team.