Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

James Abankwah in action for Udinese in Serie A

Abankwah among new call-ups to Ireland U-21 squad

Udinese's James Abankwah is among the nine first-time call-ups to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for the upcoming trio of friendlies against Gabon, Kuwait and Ukraine in Austria next week.

Soccer • 06 Jun 23

Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford

Jim Crawford slams 'ignorant, uneducated' racist trolls

Republic of Ireland Under-21s boss Jim Crawford has hit out at the "uneducated" trolls who sent "unacceptable" online abuse to members of the country's under-15s squad.

Soccer • 25 Mar 23

The Irish team will venture away from Tallaght Stadium for a friendly in Cork

Irish Under-21s returning to Cork for Iceland friendly

Republic of Ireland Under-21s will take on Iceland in a friendly at Turner's Cross as the team return to Cork for the first time in over a decade.

Soccer • 31 Jan 23

Ireland U21 boss Crawford signs new deal until 2025

Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford has signed a contract extension, keeping him in the role for the 2025 European Championship campaign.

Soccer • 22 Jan 23

Jim Crawford is saying goodbye to some familiar faces

Under-21 boss Crawford hails departing players

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford has paid tribute to his players after they agonisingly missed out on qualification to the European Championships.

Soccer • 29 Sep 22

"It probably goes back to the first leg where we missed those gilt-edged chances"

Crawford: Shootout loss a 'punch in the stomach'

Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford described his side's penalty shootout loss to Israel as a real "punch in the stomach" for the players, and rued their failure to take their chances in the opening leg in Tallaght.

Soccer • 28 Sep 22

Republic of Ireland players are put through their paces at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv

Preview: Ireland U21s chase the dream in Israel

The Republic of Ireland U-21s could make history in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening by becoming the first Irish team at the this age grade to make a major finals. Can Jim Crawford's men pull it off?

Soccer • 26 Sep 22

Ferguson unfazed as Ireland travel to Israel

There were few who would have predicted Evan Ferguson and Aaron Connolly to start up front alongside each other during the course of the under-21 European Championship qualifying campaign.

Soccer • 25 Sep 22

Jim Goodwin: Ireland is the dream

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin spoke to RTÉ Radio One Saturday Sport about his ambitions in the game.

Soccer • 24 Sep 22

Will Smallbone will be key to any Ireland success

History beckons for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 side will kick off a bumper weekend of international football when they play host to Israel Under-21s in Tallaght Stadium on Friday night, kick-off at 7pm.

Soccer • 23 Sep 22

Crawford sees Connolly as a 'striker' ahead of play-off

Jim Crawford will today attempt to go where no Irish manager has gone before.

Soccer • 23 Sep 22

Aaron Connolly (R) in U21s training with Lee O'Connor

Connolly only senior on U21s' radar, insists Crawford

Jim Crawford says it was never a possibility that any of Stephen Kenny's senior Republic of Ireland internationals would follow Aaron Connolly back to the Under-21s for Friday's European Championships play-off against Israel in Tallaght.

Soccer • 22 Sep 22

Aaron Connolly goes through his paces during Republic of Ireland U21s training

Connolly: U21s shows I don't take Ireland for granted

Aaron Connolly says he is determined to help the Republic of Ireland Under-21s make history and prove he still has the hunger to produce the goods in a green jersey.

Soccer • 21 Sep 22

Eiran Cashin pictured in camp ahead of the Israel game on Friday

Cashin hoping for rub of the green in huge play-off

Republic of Ireland Under-21 player Eiran Cashin has said that the opportunity to make history against Israel in their European Championship play-off double-header brings feelings of excitement rather than pressure.

Soccer • 21 Sep 22

Republic of Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford

Crawford: 'We need a full stadium, that's for sure'

Israel represent a difficult challenge for Jim Crawford's Republic of Ireland under-21 side as they aim to be the first Irish men's side at this age-group to qualify for a major tournament.

Soccer • 16 Sep 22

Aaron Connolly is back in the U21 squad after three years

Crawford: 'Connolly is in a happy place'

Aaron Connolly was the surprise inclusion in Jim Crawford's Republic of Ireland under-21 squad announced on Thursday as he returns to the fold for the first time since playing in a 3-1 victory over Sweden in October 2019.

Soccer • 16 Sep 22

Aaron Connolly has been recalled to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad

Crawford: 'Connolly wants to put on green shirt again'

Aaron Connolly has returned to the Republic of Ireland men's under-21 squad for the first time in three years for the upcoming UEFA European under-21 play-off matches with Israel.

Soccer • 15 Sep 22

Festy Ebosele is included in the Ireland U21 squad

Connolly, Ebosele and Connell named in Under-21 squad

Aaron Connolly, Festy Ebosele and Luca Connell have all been included in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for their European Championship play-offs against Israel next week.

Soccer • 15 Sep 22

Nicolo Rovella of Italy scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot

Ireland lose to Italy as focus shifts to Euro play-off

The Republic of Ireland now know that a European Under-21 Championship play-off will be the route to a potential first ever qualification for a major tournament after suffering a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Italy.

Soccer • 14 Jun 22

The Republic of Ireland line up for the anthems before the clash with Montenegro

Italy U21s v Rep of Ireland U21s: All you need to know

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s have a chance to book their place at the European Championship finals for the first time with victory in Italy. Here's everything you need to know.

Soccer • 14 Jun 22

Conor Coventry wants to see Ireland shake off their 'nearly men' tag

Time for Under-21s to take the next step - Coventy

Conor Coventry does not want to be cast in the role of "nearly man" as the Republic of Ireland attempt to qualify for the European Under-21s Championship finals for the first time.

Soccer • 14 Jun 22

Jim Crawford's side travel to Ascoli to face Italy on Tuesday week

Crawford: U21s in a 'nice place' as Euros promise grows

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s are in "a nice place" according to head coach Jim Crawford after taking a big step towards European Championship qualification with a 3-1 victory over Montenegro at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 06 Jun 22

The Republic of Ireland players mob Will Smallbone after his opening goal

Crawford braced for 'probably biggest U21s game ever'

Republic of Ireland boss Jim Crawford believes Monday evening's showdown with Montenegro is "probably the biggest Under-21s game there's ever been".

Soccer • 04 Jun 22

Joe Hodge has been included in the Ireland U21 squad

Hodge called up as Crawford names Ireland U21 squad

Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford has named his squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro as Wolves' Joe Hodge and Crystal Palace's Tayo Adaramola have been called up for the first time.

Soccer • 26 May 22

Jim Crawford, pictured at Tallaght Stadium, feels LOI players will have an advantage due to the timing of the upcoming international break

Crawford: U21s in good place as destiny dates loom

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford speaks to RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo about the preparations for the June triple-header of European Championship qualifiers which will be decisive in deciding whether the Boys in Green advance for the first time.

Soccer • 21 May 22