Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
| 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) | ||
| |||
| 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 | ||
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 | |||||||
| 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 | ||||||||
| Total | – | 144 | 48 | 31 | 65 | 184 | 199 | |||||||
- *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 | Moldova | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | Final tournament | — | 6 Oct '26 | 10 Oct | 4 Sep | 9 Sep | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Kazakhstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | Play-offs | 17 Nov | — | 8 Sep | 31 Mar '26 | 27 Mar '26 | 1–0 | |
| 3 | England | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 Mar '26 | 25 Sep '26 | — | 14 Nov | 2 Oct '26 | 13 Oct | ||
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 Mar '26 | 29 Sep '26 | 6 Oct '26 | — | 10 Oct | 9 Sep | |||
| 5 | Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 Oct | 13 Nov | 18 Nov | 25 Sep '26 | — | 5 Sep | ||
| 6 | Andorra | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | 2 Oct '26 | 9 Oct | 27 Mar '26 | 9 Sep | 6 Oct '26 | — |
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 | 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 |
| 7 June Friendly | Croatia | 2–3 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| 17:00 GMT | Igor Matanović 62' Matija Frigan 74' (pen.) |
Report | Andrew Moran 11' Sinclair Armstrong 14' Aidomo Emakhu 52' |
Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: Filip Dragašević |
| 11 June Friendly | England | 2–2 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| 15:00 GMT | Archie Brown 45+2' Dane Scarlett 47' (pen.) |
Joe Hodge 4' Armstrong Oko-Flex 88' |
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 84' | Stadium: Esenler Stadium Attendance: 2,188 Referee: Amine Kourgheli |
| 10 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | 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 |
| 11 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | 1–1 | Norway | Cork, Republic of Ireland | |
| 19:00 GMT | Sean Roughan 75' | Report | Andreas Schjelderup 90+3' | 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 23' | Report | Andrew Moran 66' | Stadium: Stadio Nereo Rocco Attendance: 1,730 Referee: Adam Ladebäck |
| 14 November Friendly | 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 | 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 | 0–2 | Scotland | San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain | |
| 19:00 GMT | Joe Gardner 88' | Report | Bobby Wales 5' Jude Bonnar 77' |
Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
| 24 March Friendly | 3–1 | Hungary | San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain | |
| 19:00 GMT | Mason Melia 16' (pen.) Conor McManus 79' Conor McManus 84' |
Report | Gábor Jurek 33' | Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
| 6 June Friendly | Croatia | 1–0 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| 16:00 GMT | Fabijan Krivak 52' | Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: A. Culina |
| 10 June Friendly | 0–0 | Qatar | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| 17:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Gradski Stadion Referee: I. Vuckovic |
| 4 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Moldova | v | TBC, Moldova | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 9 September UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | v | Andorra | TBC, Republic of Ireland | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 10 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | v | Slovakia | TBC, Republic of Ireland | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 14 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | England | v | TBC, England | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 18 November UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | Andorra | v | TBC, Andorra | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
2026
| 26 March UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | v | Moldova | 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 | v | Kazakhstan | TBC, Republic of Ireland | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
| 6 October UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification | v | England | TBC, Republic of Ireland | |
| TBC GMT | Report | Stadium: TBC |
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 |
| Assistant coach | Stephen Rice | 29 August 2024 |
| 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 Friendly fixtures against Croatia U21 and Qatar U23 in Zagreb, Croatia on 6 & 10 June 2025.[2][3]
Caps and goals updated as of 10 June 2025, after the game vs Qatar.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Aaron Maguire | 25 July 2004 | 3 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 16 | GK | Noah Jauny | 26 August 2004 | 3 | 0 | Brest |
| 24 | GK | Killian Barrett | 15 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Sheffield Wednesday |
| 23 | GK | Andrew Wogan | 1 December 2005 | 1 | 0 | Stockport County |
| 2 | DF | Sam Curtis | 1 December 2005 | 15 | 1 | Sheffield United |
| 3 | DF | Alex Murphy | 25 June 2004 | 8 | 0 | Newcastle United |
| 5 | DF | Seán Grehan | 8 January 2004 | 8 | 0 | Doncaster Rovers |
| 13 | DF | Jacob Slater | 5 October 2004 | 5 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 4 | DF | David Okagbue | 4 February 2004 | 3 | 0 | Walsall |
| 17 | DF | Gabriel Otegbayo | 11 February 2005 | 2 | 0 | Sheffield Wednesday |
| 7 | DF | Cory O'Sullivan | 2 May 2006 | 1 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 10 | MF | Jamie Mullins | 29 September 2004 | 6 | 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 11 | MF | Ed McJannet | 25 January 2004 | 6 | 0 | Lecce |
| 8 | MF | Adam Murphy | 8 April 2005 | 5 | 0 | Bristol City |
| 22 | MF | Darius Lipsiuc | 16 September 2005 | 5 | 0 | Stoke City |
| 12 | MF | Harry Vaughan | 6 April 2004 | 5 | 0 | Hull City |
| 19 | MF | Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh | 11 May 2005 | 4 | 0 | Southampton |
| 15 | MF | Jacob Deveney | 11 June 2007 | 2 | 0 | Manchester United |
| 18 | MF | Cathal O'Sullivan | 5 March 2007 | 2 | 0 | Cork City |
| 9 | FW | Mark O'Mahony | 15 January 2005 | 11 | 1 | Brighton & Hive Albion |
| 6 | FW | Jad Hakiki | 23 June 2004 | 5 | 0 | Sligo Rovers |
| 20 | FW | Joe Gardner | 6 June 2005 | 3 | 0 | Nottingham Forest |
| 14 | FW | Cian Dillon | 4 April 2006 | 2 | 0 | Queens Park Rangers |
| 21 | FW | Warren Davis | 2 April 2005 | 2 | 0 | Drogheda United |
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 | Conor Walsh | 17 March 2005 | 2 | 0 | Sligo Rovers | v. Hungary, 24 March 2024 |
| GK | Owen Mason | 24 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Mansfield Town | v. Latvia, 13 October 2023PRE |
| DF | Connor O'Brien | 12 July 2004 | 7 | 0 | Accrington Stanley | v. Hungary, 24 March 2024 |
| DF | Connor Barratt | 5 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | Barnsley | v. Hungary, 24 March 2024 |
| DF | Conor McManus | 16 June 2004 | 1 | 2 | Brentford | v. Hungary, 24 March 2024 |
| DF | James AbankwahSEN | 16 January 2004 | 9 | 0 | Watford | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| MF | Jack Moorhouse | 29 November 2005 | 1 | 0 | Manchester United | v. Croatia, 6 June 2025INJ |
| MF | Ronan Maher | 30 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | Walsall | v. Hungary, 24 March 2024 |
| MF | Rocco VataSEN | 18 April 2005 | 7 | 6 | Watford | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| MF | Glory Nzingo | 4 November 2004 | 2 | 0 | Carolina Core | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Mason Melia | 22 September 2007 | 1 | 1 | St Patrick's Athletic | v. Croatia, 6 June 2025INJ |
| FW | Franco Umeh | 26 January 2005 | 2 | 0 | Crystal Palace | v. Hungary, 24 March 2024 |
| FW | Tommy Lonergan | 2 January 2004 | 2 | 0 | Waterford | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Sean Moore | 13 August 2005 | 2 | 0 | West Ham United | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Kevin Zefi | 11 February 2005 | 1 | 0 | AS Roma | v. Sweden, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Ben Quinn | 11 November 2004 | 1 | 0 | Mansfield Town | 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.