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Ireland U17s & U19s learn Euro qualifier opponents

The draw were made in Nyon on Wednesday
The draw were made in Nyon on Wednesday

The Republic of Ireland under 19 and under 17 teams have learned their opponents for their respective 2021/22 UEFA European Championship qualification campaigns.

Tom Mohan's under 19s have been drawn to face Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, while Colin O’Brien’s under 17s will face Poland, North Macedonia and Andorra.

Both sides were top seeds for the draw as they’re ranked among UEFA's top 10 with the teams 9th and 10th respectively.

"There's no easy games in international football," said Mohan after the draw in Nyon.

"Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovina have been very good at this level and Montenegro are a competitive and difficult opponent at this level too.

"We hope we'll all be in better place by the time the games come around with regards to Covid-19 but all we can do is focus on ourselves and our game."

O’Brien also talked up the quality of his group, adding: "It’s great to see the draw and it gives us games to aim for in 2021 and we now have an opportunity to plan for our opponents.

"The 2005 age group played Poland twice last year in Galway and will be under 17s by the time we play these qualifiers. I managed against Andorra last year and North Macedonia is a new challenge for us but we look forward to the challenge of the group."

2021/22 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers - Group 6

Republic of Ireland

Bulgaria

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Montenegro

2021/22 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers - Group 5

Republic of Ireland

Poland

North Macedonia

Andorra

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