Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team

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

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

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

2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  England 5 5 0 0 13 0 +13 15 Final tournament 2 Oct 2–0 1–0 25 Sep 31 Mar
2  Slovakia 6 4 1 1 12 9 +3 13 Final tournament or Play-offs 0–4 25 Sep 3–0 2–1 2–0
3  Republic of Ireland 5 2 1 2 5 9 −4 7 6 Oct 2–2 1–0 29 Sep 26 Mar
4  Andorra 7 2 0 5 5 9 −4 6 27 Mar 6 Oct 4–0 1–0 2 Oct
5  Kazakhstan 5 1 1 3 3 6 −3 4 0–2 27 Mar 31 Mar 1–0 1–1
6  Moldova 6 1 1 4 7 12 −5 4 0–4 2–3 1–2 3–0 6 Oct
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Results and fixtures

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

22 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 Ukraine
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

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
18 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification Andorra  4–0  Republic of Ireland Andorra la Vella, Andorra
18:00 GMT Gerard Sola 16'
Hugo Ferreira 23'
Ian Olivera 49'
Gerard Sola 74' (pen.)
Report Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Attendance: 250
Referee: Anton Lashuk Belarus

2026

Staff

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

Current squad

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 18 November 2025, after the game vs Andorra.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Noah Jauny (2004-08-26) 26 August 2004 8 0 French Football Federation Brest
16 1GK Aaron Maguire (2004-07-25) 25 July 2004 3 0 The Football Association Tottenham Hotspur
23 1GK Conor Walsh (2005-03-17) 17 March 2005 2 0 Football Association of Ireland Shelbourne

3 2DF Alex Murphy (2004-06-25) 25 June 2004 10 0 The Football Association Newcastle United
4 2DF James Abankwah (captain) (2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 14 0 The Football Association Watford
5 2DF Seán Grehan (2004-01-08) 8 January 2004 13 0 The Football Association Doncaster Rovers
13 2DF David Okagbue (2004-02-04) 4 February 2004 6 0 The Football Association Peterborough United
14 2DF Conor McManus (2004-06-16) 16 June 2004 3 2 The Football Association Brentford
15 2DF Jacob Slater (2004-10-05) 5 October 2004 8 0 The Football Association Harrogate Town

2 3MF Jacob Devaney (2007-06-11) 11 June 2007 6 0 Scottish Football Association St Mirren
7 3MF Harry Vaughan (2004-04-06) 6 April 2004 7 0 Football Association of Ireland Bohemians
8 3MF Adam Murphy (2005-04-08) 8 April 2005 9 0 The Football Association Bristol City
10 3MF Jamie Mullins (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 11 2 The Football Association Wycombe Wanderers
12 3MF Cathal McCarthy (2006-08-31) 31 August 2006 2 0 The Football Association Hull City
18 3MF Romeo Akachukwu (2006-05-28) 28 May 2006 1 0 The Football Association Southampton
19 3MF Darius Lipsiuc (2005-09-16) 16 September 2005 9 0 The Football Association Solihull Moors
20 3MF Jack Moorhouse (2005-11-29) 29 November 2005 3 0 The Football Association Leyton Orient

6 4FW Jad Hakiki (2004-06-23) 23 June 2004 10 1 Football Association of Ireland Sligo Rovers
9 4FW Mark O'Mahony (2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 15 1 The Football Association Reading
11 4FW Mason Melia (2007-09-22) 22 September 2007 6 3 The Football Association Tottenham Hotspur
17 4FW Trent Koné-Doherty (2006-06-30) 30 June 2006 4 0 The Football Association Liverpool
21 4FW Tommy Lonergan (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 3 0 Football Association of Ireland Waterford
22 4FW Cian Dillon (2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 2 0 The Football Association Enfield Town

Recent call-ups

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 1 0 England Stockport County v.  Andorra, 9 September 2025
GK Killian Barrett (2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 0 0 England Boston United v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
GK Owen Mason (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 0 0 England Mansfield Town v.  Latvia, 13 October 2023PRE

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

MF James McManus (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 0 0 Republic of Ireland Bohemians v.  Slovakia, 10 October 2025
MF Ed McJannet (2004-01-25) 25 January 2004 6 0 Italy Ternana v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 4 0 England Southampton v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Cathal O'Sullivan (2007-03-05) 5 March 2007 2 0 Republic of Ireland Cork City v.  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Ronan Maher (2004-12-30) 30 December 2004 2 0 England Tamworth v.  Hungary, 24 March 2025
MF Glory Nzingo (2004-11-04) 4 November 2004 2 0 Republic of Ireland St Patrick's Athletic v.  Sweden, 17 November 2024

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

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