Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team

Last updated
Republic of Ireland Under-21
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)
Kit left arm ire24h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body ire24h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm ire24h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts ire24h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks ire24hl.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm ire24a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body ire24a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm ire24a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts ire24a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks ire24al.png
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
First international
Flag of Ireland.svg Rep. Ireland 1–1 Northern Ireland Ulster Banner.svg
(Dublin; 8 March 1978)
Biggest win
Flag of San Marino.svg San Marino 0–7 Rep. Ireland Flag of Ireland.svg
(Serravalle, San Marino; 22 March 2024)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Germany.svg Germany 8–0 Rep. Ireland Flag of Ireland.svg
(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.

Contents

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
YearRoundPldWD *LGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1978 did not enter
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988 did not qualify402237
1990 did not enter
1992 did not qualify6105514
Flag of France.svg 1994 8116720
Flag of Spain.svg 1996 822479
Flag of Romania.svg 1998 8305117
Flag of Slovakia.svg 2000 84221312
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 2002 8413107
Flag of Germany.svg 2004 8224811
Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2006 81251014
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2007 210121
Flag of Sweden.svg 2009 8125414
Flag of Denmark.svg 2011 10145511
Flag of Israel.svg 2013 84131510
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg 2015 82241012
Flag of Poland.svg 2017 104061417
Flag of Italy.svg 2019 104241215
Flag of Hungary.svg Flag of Slovenia.svg 2021 10613158
Flag of Romania.svg Flag of Georgia.svg 2023 126331711
Flag of Slovakia.svg 2025 105412412
Total144483165184199
*Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Slovakia.svgFlag of Ireland.svgFlag of England.svgFlag of Moldova.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svgFlag of Andorra.svg
1Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 220062+46 Final tournament 25 Sep '26 18 Nov 14 Oct 13 Nov 3–0
2Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland 220031+26 Play-offs 10 Oct 6 Oct '26 26 Mar '26 29 Sep '26 1–0
3Flag of England.svg  England 110020+23 2 Oct '26 14 Nov 31 Mar '26 25 Sep '26 13 Oct
4Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 310265+13 2–3 1–2 10 Oct 6 Oct '26 3–0
5Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 21011213 27 Mar '26 31 Mar '26 0–2 17 Nov 1–0
6Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 40040880 6 Oct '26 18 Nov 27 Mar '26 2 Oct '26 9 Oct
Updated to match(es) played on 8 September 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  Flag of San Marino.svg0–7Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland Serravalle, San Marino
17:00 GMT Report Sinclair Armstrong Soccerball shade.svg26'
Andrew Moran Soccerball shade.svg53'
Sinclair Armstrong Soccerball shade.svg57'
Rocco Vata Soccerball shade.svg62'
Rocco Vata Soccerball shade.svg64'
Armstrong Oko-Flex Soccerball shade.svg73'
Rocco Vata Soccerball shade.svg90+1'
Stadium: San Marino Stadium
Attendance: 213
Referee: Viktor Kopiievskyi Flag of Ukraine.svg
11 June Friendly England  Flag of England.svg2–2Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland Zagreb, Croatia
15:00 GMT Archie Brown Soccerball shade.svg45+2'
Dane Scarlett Soccerball shade.svg47' (pen.)
Joe Hodge Soccerball shade.svg4'
Armstrong Oko-Flex Soccerball shade.svg88'
Stadium: Gradski Stadion
Referee: Ivan Vučkovič Flag of Croatia.svg
6 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification Turkey  Flag of Turkey.svg0–1Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland Istanbul, Turkey
17:45 GMT Report Sam Curtis Soccerball shade.svg84'Stadium: Esenler Stadium
Attendance: 2,188
Referee: Amine Kourgheli Flag of Belarus.svg
10 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification Republic of Ireland  Flag of Ireland.svg2–2Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia Dublin, Republic of Ireland
17:00 GMT Sinclair Armstrong Soccerball shade.svg16'
Sean Roughan Soccerball shade.svg65'
Report Kaspars Anmanis Soccerball shade.svg42'
Ivans Patrikejevs Soccerball shade.svg63'
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 953
Referee: Stefan Ebner Flag of Austria.svg
14 November Friendly Republic of Ireland  Flag of Ireland.svg0–2Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Marbella, Spain
19:00 GMT Report Hampus Skoglund Soccerball shade.svg48'
Richie Omorowa Soccerball shade.svg87'
Stadium: Marbella Football Centre
17 November Friendly Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg2–3Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland Marbella, Spain
14:00 GMT Peter Amoran Soccerball shade.svg34'
Lukas Björklund Soccerball shade.svg58'
Report Jamie Mullins Soccerball shade.svg15'
Rocco Vata Soccerball shade.svg46'
Mark O'Mahony Soccerball shade.svg50'
Stadium: Marbella Football Centre

2025

21 March Friendly Republic of Ireland  Flag of Ireland.svg0–2Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:00 GMT Joe Gardner Soccerball shade cross.svg88' Report Bobby Wales Soccerball shade.svg5'
Jude Bonnar Soccerball shade.svg77'
Stadium: Pinatar Arena
24 March Friendly Republic of Ireland  Flag of Ireland.svg3–1Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:00 GMT Mason Melia Soccerball shade.svg16' (pen.)
Conor McManus Soccerball shade.svg79', 84'
Report Gábor Jurek Soccerball shade.svg33'Stadium: Pinatar Arena
6 June Friendly Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg1–0Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland Zagreb, Croatia
16:00 GMT Fabijan Krivak Soccerball shade.svg52' Report Stadium: Gradski Stadion
Referee: A. Culina Flag of Croatia.svg
10 June Friendly Flag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland 0–0Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Zagreb, Croatia
17:00 GMT Report Stadium: Gradski Stadion
Referee: I. Vuckovic Flag of Croatia.svg

2026

Staff

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

PositionNameAppointed
Head coach Flag of Ireland.svg Jim Crawford 5 April 2020
Assistant coach Flag of Ireland.svg Paul McShane 28 August 2023
Goalkeeping coach Flag of Ireland.svg Rene Gilmartin 24 April 2020
Lead Performance Analyst Flag of Ireland.svg Martin DoyleApril 2020
Sports Scientist Flag of Ireland.svg Paul Walsh18 March 2023
Sports Scientist Flag of Ireland.svg Paul Gavin18 March 2025
Chartered Physiotherapist Flag of Brazil.svg Glauber Barduzzi24 April 2019
Athletic Therapist Flag of Ireland.svg Kieran Murray19 March 2022
Doctor Flag of Ireland.svg Dr Mortimer O'ConnorMarch 2021
Kitman Flag of Ireland.svg John CruddenMay 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 Moldova and Andorra on 4 & 9 September 2025. [2]

Caps and goals updated as of 9 September 2025, after the game vs Andorra.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Noah Jauny (2004-08-26) 26 August 2004 (age 21)50 Flag of France.svg Brest
231 GK Aaron Maguire (2004-07-25) 25 July 2004 (age 21)30 Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur
161 GK Andrew Wogan (2005-12-01) 1 December 2005 (age 19)10 Flag of England.svg Chester

42 DF James Abankwah (captain) (2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 (age 21)110 Flag of England.svg Watford
52 DF Seán Grehan (2004-01-08) 8 January 2004 (age 21)100 Flag of England.svg Doncaster Rovers
32 DF Alex Murphy (2004-06-25) 25 June 2004 (age 21)90 Flag of England.svg Newcastle United
22 DF Jacob Slater (2004-10-05) 5 October 2004 (age 20)60 Flag of England.svg Harrogate Town
152 DF Jacob Deveney (2007-06-11) 11 June 2007 (age 18)40 Flag of England.svg Manchester United
132 DF David Okagbue (2004-02-04) 4 February 2004 (age 21)30 Flag of England.svg Peterborough United
222 DF Freddie Turley (2006-07-03) 3 July 2006 (age 19)00 Flag of England.svg Derby County

103 MF Jamie Mullins (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 (age 20)81 Flag of England.svg Wycombe Wanderers
63 MF Jad Hakiki (2004-06-23) 23 June 2004 (age 21)70 Flag of Ireland.svg Sligo Rovers
83 MF Adam Murphy (2005-04-08) 8 April 2005 (age 20)70 Flag of England.svg Swindon Town
123 MF Harry Vaughan (2004-04-06) 6 April 2004 (age 21)70 Flag of England.svg Hull City
193 MF Darius Lipsiuc (2005-09-16) 16 September 2005 (age 19)70 Flag of England.svg Solihull Moors
213 MF Cathal McCarthy (2006-08-31) 31 August 2006 (age 19)10 Flag of England.svg Hull City
183 MF Romeo Akachukwu (2006-05-28) 28 May 2006 (age 19)00 Flag of England.svg Southampton

94 FW Mark O'Mahony (2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 (age 20)121 Flag of England.svg Reading
74 FW Rocco Vata (2005-04-18) 18 April 2005 (age 20)96 Flag of England.svg Watford
114 FW Mason Melia (2007-09-22) 22 September 2007 (age 17)33 Flag of Ireland.svg St Patrick's Athletic
204 FW Michael Noonan (2008-07-31) 31 July 2008 (age 17)21 Flag of Ireland.svg Shamrock Rovers
144 FW Cian Dillon (2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 (age 19)20 Flag of England.svg Queens Park Rangers
174 FW Trent Koné-Doherty (2006-06-30) 30 June 2006 (age 19)10 Flag of England.svg Liverpool

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad and remain eligible:

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Killian Barrett (2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of England.svg Sheffield Wednesday v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
GK Conor Walsh (2005-03-17) 17 March 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Ireland.svg Sligo Rovers v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 24 March 2025
GK Owen Mason (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of England.svg Mansfield Town v. Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia, 13 October 2023PRE

DF Sam Curtis (2005-12-01) 1 December 2005 (age 19)151 Flag of England.svg Sheffield United v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
DF Gabriel Otegbayo (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of England.svg Sheffield Wednesday v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
DF Cory O'Sullivan (2006-05-02) 2 May 2006 (age 19)10 Flag of Ireland.svg Shamrock Rovers v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
DF Connor O'Brien (2004-07-12) 12 July 2004 (age 21)70 Flag of England.svg Accrington Stanley v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 24 March 2025
DF Connor Barratt (2004-04-05) 5 April 2004 (age 21)20 Flag of England.svg Barnsley v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 24 March 2025
DF Conor McManus (2004-06-16) 16 June 2004 (age 21)12 Flag of England.svg Brentford v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 24 March 2025

MF Ed McJannet (2004-01-25) 25 January 2004 (age 21)60 Flag of Italy.svg Ternana v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 20)40 Flag of England.svg Southampton v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Cathal O'Sullivan (2007-03-05) 5 March 2007 (age 18)20 Flag of Ireland.svg Cork City v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
MF Jack Moorhouse (2005-11-29) 29 November 2005 (age 19)10 Flag of England.svg Leyton Orient v. Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia, 6 June 2025INJ
MF Ronan Maher (2004-12-30) 30 December 2004 (age 20)20 Flag of England.svg Walsall v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 24 March 2025
MF Glory Nzingo (2004-11-04) 4 November 2004 (age 20)20 Flag of the United States.svg Carolina Core v. Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden, 17 November 2024

FW Joe Gardner (2005-06-06) 6 June 2005 (age 20)30 Flag of England.svg Mansfield Town v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
FW Warren Davis (2005-04-02) 2 April 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Ireland.svg Drogheda United v. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar, 10 June 2025
FW Franco Umeh (2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 24 March 2025
FW Tommy Lonergan (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 21)20 Flag of Ireland.svg Waterford v. Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Sean Moore (2005-08-13) 13 August 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Ireland.svg Shelbourne v. Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Kevin Zefi (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005 (age 20)10 Flag of Italy.svg AS Roma v. Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Ben Quinn (2004-11-11) 11 November 2004 (age 20)10 Flag of England.svg Mansfield Town v. Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden, 17 November 2024
FW Adrien Thibaut (2004-07-11) 11 July 2004 (age 21)10 Flag of England.svg Crewe Alexandra v. Flag of Sweden.svg  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.
  2. https://www.fai.ie/latest/under-21-squad-named-moldova-and-andorra-qualifiers/