Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
National under-21 association football team representing Republic of Ireland
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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 | 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
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 | |||||||
 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 | ||||||||
  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 |
7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | +16 | 19 | Final tournament | — | 2 Oct | 2–0 | 1–0 | 4–1 | 25 Sep | |
| 2 | Slovakia |
7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 16 | Final tournament or play-offs | 0–4 | — | 25 Sep | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | |
| 3 | Republic of Ireland |
7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 11 | 6 Oct | 2–2 | — | 1–0 | 1–1 | 29 Sep | ||
| 4 | Andorra (E) |
8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 7 | 1–1 | 6 Oct | 4–0 | — | 2 Oct | 1–0 | ||
| 5 | Moldova (E) |
8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 17 | −8 | 5 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 3–0 | — | 6 Oct | ||
| 6 | Kazakhstan (E) |
7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 31 March 2026. Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
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
2025
| 6 June Friendly | Croatia  | 1–0 | Republic of Ireland | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 16:00 GMT | Fabijan Krivak  52' |
Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: A. Culina |
| 10 June Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–0 |  Qatar | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 17:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: I. Vuckovic |
| 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  |
| 9 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 1–0 | Andorra | Dublin, Ireland |
| 19:30 GMT | Michael Noonan 66' |
Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 1,387 Referee: Heini Ziskason Viðoy  |
| 10 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 2–2 | Slovakia | Cork, Ireland |
| 19:30 GMT | Jamie Mullins 4' Jad Hakiki 60' |
Report | Mason Melia  3' (o.g.)Nino Marcelli 44' |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,872 Referee: Lionel Tschudi |
| 14 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | England | 2–0 | Republic of Ireland | Birmingham, England |
| 19:45 GMT | Divin Mubama  23'Divin Mubama 60' (pen.)Tyrique George 90+1' |
Report | Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 9,961 Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu |
| 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  |
2026
| 26 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | 1–1 | Moldova | Dublin, Ireland |
| 17:15 GMT | Jamie Mullins 26' |
Report | Vasile Luchița 20' |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 860 Referee: Walter Altmann  |
| 31 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Kazakhstan | 0–1 | Republic of Ireland | Turkistan, Kazakhstan |
| 16:00 GMT | Report | Oisin Gallagher 89' |
Stadium: Turkestan Arena Attendance: 6,100 Referee: Karl Koppel  |
| 6 June Friendly | Croatia | 2–2 | Republic of Ireland | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 16:30 GMT | Luka Vrbančić 8' (pen.) Seán Grehan 75' (o.g.) |
Report | Sam Curtis 19' Seán Grehan 81' |
Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: Filip Dragaševic |
| 9 June Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–0 | Qatar | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 15:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion |
| 25 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Slovakia | v | Republic of Ireland | TBC, Slovakia |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 29 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | v | Kazakhstan | Cork, Ireland |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: Turners Cross |
| 6 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Republic of Ireland | v | England | Cork, Ireland |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: Turners Cross |
Staff
The Under-21s' management team includes:[1]
| Position | Name | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Jim Crawford |
5 April 2020 |
| Assistant coach | Paul McShane |
28 August 2023 |
| Goalkeeping coach | Rene Gilmartin |
24 April 2020 |
| Lead Performance Analyst | Martin Doyle |
April 2020 |
| Sports Scientist | Paul Walsh |
18 March 2023 |
| Sports Scientist | Paul Gavin |
18 March 2025 |
| Chartered Physiotherapist |  Glauber Barduzzi |
24 April 2019 |
| Athletic Therapist | Kieran Murray |
19 March 2022 |
| Doctor | Dr Mortimer O'Connor |
March 2021 |
| Kitman | 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 friendlies against Croatia and Qatar U23 on 6 and 9 June 2026.[2]
Caps and goals updated as of 9 June 2026, after the game vs Qatar U23.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Noah Jauny | 26 August 2004 | 10 | 0 | Brest |
| 16 | GK | Aaron Maguire | 25 July 2004 | 5 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 23 | GK | Conor Walsh | 17 March 2005 | 3 | 0 | Shelbourne |
| 2 | DF | Sam Curtis | 1 December 2005 | 18 | 2 | Sheffield United |
| 5 | DF | Seán Grehan | 8 January 2004 | 15 | 1 | Doncaster Rovers |
| 4 | DF | David Okagbue | 4 February 2004 | 9 | 0 | Peterborough United |
| 3 | DF | Conor McManus | 16 June 2004 | 6 | 2 | Gillingham |
| 12 | DF | Cory O'Sullivan | 2 May 2006 | 3 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 22 | DF | Oisin Gallagher | 2 December 2004 | 3 | 1 | Barnet |
| 21 | DF | Sean Keogh | 15 April 2006 | 2 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 8 | MF | Jamie Mullins | 29 September 2004 | 15 | 3 | Wycombe Wanderers |
| 19 | MF | Darius Lipsiuc | 16 September 2005 | 12 | 0 | Notts County |
| 6 | MF | Jacob Devaney | 11 June 2007 | 9 | 0 |  Hibernian |
| 10 | MF | Harry Vaughan | 6 April 2004 | 8 | 0 | Bohemians |
| 13 | MF | John O'Sullivan | 29 January 2006 | 2 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 7 | MF | Naj Razi | 28 October 2006 | 1 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 11 | MF | Cillian Murphy | 22 July 2009 | 1 | 0 | Cork City |
| 18 | MF | Gabriel Kelly | 7 December 2006 | 1 | 0 | Stoke City |
| 9 | FW | Michael Noonan | 31 July 2008 | 6 | 1 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 17 | FW | Tommy Lonergan | 2 January 2004 | 6 | 0 | Waterford |
| 15 | FW | Kian McMahon-Brown | 3 August 2008 | 2 | 0 | Burnley |
| 20 | FW | Gbemi Arubi | 26 May 2004 | 1 | 0 | Burton Albion |
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 | 1 December 2005 | 1 | 0 | Stockport County |
v. Andorra, 9 September 2025 |
| GK | Killian Barrett | 15 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Barrow |
v. Qatar, 10 June 2025 |
| GK | Owen Mason | 24 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Mansfield Town |
v.  Latvia, 13 October 2023PRE |
| DF | Alex MurphySEN | 25 June 2004 | 12 | 0 | Kaiserslautern |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| DF | Cathal McCarthy | 31 August 2006 | 3 | 0 | Kilmarnock |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| DF | Gabriel Otegbayo | 11 February 2005 | 2 | 0 | Sheffield Wednesday |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| DF | James AbankwahSEN (captain) | 16 January 2004 | 14 | 0 | Udinese |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| DF | Jacob Slater | 5 October 2004 | 8 | 0 | Tranmere Rovers |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| DF | Freddie Turley | 3 July 2006 | 0 | 0 | Derby County |
v. Andorra, 9 September 2025 |
| DF | Connor O'Brien | 12 July 2004 | 7 | 0 | Accrington Stanley |
v. Hungary, 24 March 2025 |
| DF | Connor Barratt | 5 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | Galway United |
v. Hungary, 24 March 2025 |
| MF | Rory Finneran | 29 February 2008 | 1 | 0 | Newcastle United |
v. Croatia, 6 June 2026 |
| MF | Jack Moorhouse | 29 November 2005 | 5 | 0 | Manchester United |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| MF | Romeo Akachukwu | 28 May 2006 | 2 | 0 | Southampton |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| MF | Aarón Ochoa Moloney | 18 April 2007 | 1 | 0 | Malaga |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| MF | Adam Murphy | 8 April 2005 | 9 | 0 | Bristol City |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| MF | James McManus | 16 March 2005 | 0 | 0 | Sligo Rovers |
v. Slovakia, 10 October 2025 |
| MF | Ed McJannet | 25 January 2004 | 6 | 0 | Cosenza |
v. Qatar, 10 June 2025 |
| MF | Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh | 11 May 2005 | 4 | 0 | Northampton Town |
v. Qatar, 10 June 2025 |
| MF | Cathal O'Sullivan | 5 March 2007 | 2 | 0 | Preston North End |
v. Qatar, 10 June 2025 |
| MF | Ronan Maher | 30 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | Walsall |
v. Hungary, 24 March 2025 |
| MF | Glory Nzingo | 4 November 2004 | 2 | 0 | Free agent | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Trent Koné-Doherty | 30 June 2006 | 6 | 0 |  Molde FK |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| FW | Leon Ayinde | 5 September 2004 | 2 | 0 | Doncaster Rovers |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| FW | Jaden UmehSEN | 18 March 2008 | 2 | 0 | Benfica |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| FW | Sean Patton | 25 July 2006 | 1 | 0 | Reading |
v. Kazakhstan, 31 March 2026 |
| FW | Adam BrennanSEN | 29 May 2007 | 0 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
v. Moldova, 26 March 2026INJ |
| FW | Mark O'Mahony | 15 January 2005 | 15 | 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| FW | Jad Hakiki | 23 June 2004 | 10 | 1 | Sligo Rovers |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| FW | Mason MeliaSEN | 22 September 2007 | 6 | 3 | Lincoln City |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| FW | Cian Dillon | 4 April 2006 | 2 | 0 | Dundalk |
v. Andorra, 18 November 2025 |
| FW | Joe Gardner | 6 June 2005 | 3 | 0 | Falkirk |
v. England, 14 November 2025INJ |
| FW | Rocco Vata | 18 April 2005 | 10 | 6 | Watford |
v. Slovakia, 10 October 2025 |
| FW | Warren Davis | 2 April 2005 | 2 | 0 | Drogheda United |
v. Qatar, 10 June 2025 |
| FW | Franco Umeh | 26 January 2005 | 2 | 0 | Portsmouth |
v. Hungary, 24 March 2025 |
| FW | Sean Moore | 13 August 2005 | 2 | 0 | Shelbourne |
v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Kevin Zefi | 11 February 2005 | 1 | 0 | Sligo Rovers |
v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Ben Quinn | 11 November 2004 | 1 | 0 | Cliftonville |
v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Adrien Thibaut | 11 July 2004 | 1 | 0 | Crewe Alexandra |
v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
INJ Withdrew from latest squad due to injury | ||||||
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the senior team.
Records
- Top Goals: Kevin Doyle, Robbie Brady & Sinclair Armstrong 7 Goals
- Youngest Goal Scorer: Michael Noonan 17 years 01 month 09 days vs
Moldova (2025) - Biggest Win: 7-0 vs
San Marino (2024) - Biggest Defeat: 0-8 vs
Germany (1993) - Youngest Player: John Connolly 15 years 03 months 23 days vs
Albania (1992)