Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

A dejected Sinclair Armstrong is consoled by Italy's Luca Koleosho

Brave Ireland exit U21 Euros race after draw with Italy

The Republic of Ireland's wait to qualify for a first European Under-21 Championships is set to continue despite a brave 1-1 draw against Italy in Trieste.

Soccer • 16 Oct 24

Sean Roughan (#14) and Sinclair Armstrong warming up before the reverse fixture away against Norway late last year

The U21s primed to push on towards the senior scene

Former Republic of Ireland Under-17s, Sheffield Wednesday and UCD midfielder Paul Corry gives his take on the current Under-21s putting a hand up for potential consideration for the Irish senior team over the next 12-24 months.

Soccer • 15 Oct 24

Jim Crawford reacts after his side's draw

Crawford: Tears for Ireland U21s after late controversy

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford admitted there were "tears in the dressing room" after his side suffered a blow to their UEFA European Championship qualifying hopes after conceding a controversial late equaliser to Norway at Turners Cross.

Soccer • 12 Oct 24

Second-half substitute Rocco Vata reacts after the full-time whistle in Cork

Controversial late equaliser dents Ireland U21 hopes

There was late heartbreak for the Republic of Ireland after a controversial Norwegian equaliser in the third and final minute of stoppage time denied the hosts a guaranteed European U-21 Championship play-off spot as the sides drew 1-1 at Turners Cross.

Soccer • 15 Oct 24

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

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s welcome Norway to Turner's Cross this evening knowing victory will guarantee the a play-off place and set up a group-deciding showdown in Italy on Tuesday.

Soccer • 11 Oct 24

Franco Umeh has progressed quickly at Crystal Palace

Umeh and Adegboyega called up by Ireland Under-21s

Franco Umeh and Emmanuel Adegboyega have received their first call-ups for the Republic of Ireland U-21s for the upcoming UEFA European Championship qualifiers against Turkey and Latvia.

Soccer • 29 Aug 24

Joe Hodge, Andrew Moran, Tayo Adaramola, Matt Healy and Rocco Vata celebrate the second goal of the game

Vata plunders hat-trick as Ireland U21s rout San Marino

Rocco Vata plundered a second-half hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland under-21s continued their European Championship qualifying campaign with a comfortable 7-0 win over San Marino.

Soccer • 22 Mar 24

U21 Euro qualifier: San Marino 0-7 Ireland recap

Jim Crawford's Republic of Ireland Under-21 side continue their 2025 UEFA European Championship qualifiying campaign with a 7-0 win away against Group A minnows San Marino.

Soccer • 22 Mar 24

Opsahl celebrates scoring Norway's opening goal

Norway late show brings end to Ireland's unbeaten start

Norway ended the Republic of Ireland Under-21s' winning run in Euro 2025 qualifying by beating Jim Crawford's team 3-2 at the Marienlyst Stadion in Drammen.

Soccer • 17 Nov 23

Euro Under-21 qualifier: Norway 3 Ireland 2 - Recap

Ireland suffer their first defeat of the campaign as Norway come from behind to beat Jim Crawford's men.

Soccer • 17 Nov 23

Andy Moran on the ball during a September training session with the U21s as Sinclair Armstrong watches on in the background

Widening pathway to seniors creating buzz in U21 ranks

The ever clearer pathway towards the Republic of Ireland senior team is creating a palpable buzz within the Under-21 camp according to Jim Crawford's assistant Alan Reynolds.

Soccer • 13 Oct 23

Joe Hodge during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Aviva Stadium in July

Hodge eyes loan move if Wolves chance doesn't come soon

Republic of Ireland Under-21 captain Joe Hodge admits he will look to go out on loan if regular opportunities do not arise at Wolves between now and January but is fully focused on trying to break back into the first team picture at the Premier League club.

Soccer • 12 Oct 23

O'Neill and Carty called up for U21 qualifier in Latvia

Jim Crawford has added Ollie O'Neill and Conor Carty to his Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for Friday's European Championship qualifier in Latvia.

Soccer • 08 Oct 23

Euro Under-21 qualifier: Ireland 3-0 San Marino recap

The Republic of Ireland make it back-to-back European U-21 qualifier wins as they see off minnows San Marino 3-0 at Turners Cross - relive the action here.

Soccer • 12 Sep 23

Aidomo Emakhu of Republic of Ireland celebrates with team-mates Andrew Moran and Bosun Lawal after scoring the winner against Turkey

Lessons from Luxembourg but big San Marino win expected

Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Jim Crawford has one key message for his players ahead of this evening's Euro 2025 qualifier against San Marino – there's no easy game in international football.

Soccer • 12 Sep 23

Evan Ferguson in action against Italy U21s in June 2022

Ireland U21s to face Italy again in Euro qualifying

The Republic of Ireland under-21 will face familiar opposition in Euro 2025 qualifying after they were drawn alongside five-time winners Italy in Group A.

Soccer • 02 Feb 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

Captain Conor Coventry and co made their way to Israel on Sunday

Ireland U21s v Israel, second leg: All you need to know

Jim Crawford's Ireland U21s go into the second leg of their European Championship play-off tie with Israel level at 1-1 with the winner going to the finals tournament next summer.

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

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

Evan Ferguson is ready for a huge tie against Israel

High-flying Ferguson eager for Israel showdown

Republic of Ireland under-21 international Evan Ferguson believes that his side's European Championship play-offs against Israel has fallen at just the right time with the Irish squad at full strength and bang in form.

Soccer • 22 Sep 22

Dara Costelloe has made major progress under Vincent Kompany at Burnley this season

Crawford forced to make changes to Under-21 squad

Burnley's Dara Costelloe, NAC Breda's Anselmo Garcia MacNulty and the St Patrick's Athletic duo of Adam O'Reilly and David Odumosu have been added to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Friday's European Under-21 Championship play-off first leg against Israel at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 19 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

Oisin McEntee is helped from the pitch last week by team doctor Mortimer O'Connor

McEntee in race to be fit for Under-21 Italian showdown

Oisin McEntee remains the only injury concern for Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford heading into Tuesday's group finale away to Italy (live on RTÉ2, 4.30pm kick-off).

Soccer • 11 Jun 22

Crawford delighted to keep Irish U-21 Euro hopes alive

Jim Crawford told RTÉ Sport that his Republic of Ireland Under-21 side are right back in contention to qualify for the 2023 European Championships after Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Sweden.

Soccer • 17 Nov 21