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Enterprising Ireland U21s edged out by England in rainy Birmingham

Updated / Friday, 14 Nov 2025 23:48
Republic of Ireland's Jacob Devany put in an all-action display
Republic of Ireland's Jacob Devany put in an all-action display

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s put in an enterprising display at a rain-sodden St Andrew's in Birmingham but fell to a 2-0 defeat against reigning European champions England in their qualifier on Friday night.

In a game which saw Jim Crawford put it up to Lee Carsley's star-studded England for significant portions of the contest, a contentious second-half penalty converted by Divin Mubama and a stoppage time goal by Tyrique George gave the home side all three points in the fourth match of both sides' Euro qualifying campaign.

In the early stages under the teeming rain, Ireland were initially penned into their own half by an English side with a host of Premier League - and Bundesliga in Jobe Bellingham's case - regulars, including senior caps Rico Lewis and Lewis Hall.

However, as the first half wore on, Ireland grew into the game. But a setback appeared to be on the cards on 21 minutes when referee Iuliana Demetrescu blew for a penalty after Chelsea forward Tyrique George went to ground just inside the box following contact with midfielder Adam Murphy.

But Ireland goalkeeper Noah Jauny guessed the right way to stop Mubama's tame penalty to preserve parity.

While clear-cut chances were at a premium, the best Irish moments came when the ball was fed to Derry native Trent Kone-Doherty, the 19-year-old left winger who is on the books at Liverpool, winning his third U21 cap.

Crawford made one change to his team at half-time as Jad Hakiki was introduced in place of Romeo Akachukwu and they started the second half in a similar vein to how they finished the first.

Kone-Doherty continued to be a thorn in England's right side, with one cross causing panic in the home side's defence - and appearing to hit Lewis Hall on the upper arm - and a shot from outside the box just clearing the crossbar. Darius Lipsuic also had an effort at goal but it was straight at England keeper Tommy Setford.

However, just before the hour mark, England were awarded a second penalty of the night after Newcastle left back Hall went down in the box under pressure from Jad Hakiki.

The penalty appeared somewhat harsh but it almost ended up being Jauny on the spot again. The France-based Dubliner did get his hand to the ball but fortune was with taker Mubama on this occasion as the ball hit the back of the net.

Ireland rallied in the latter stages of the half as they sought an equaliser but in stoppage time, Chelsea winger George was afforded too much space in the right back zone and drove a shot beyond Jauny and high into the net.

The result leaves Ireland third in the table on seven points after four games, with England second on 12 and Slovakia leading the way on 13 having played a game more than both sides in Birmingham.

The Boys in Green will now to get their qualifying campaign back on track when they take on Andorra on Tuesday.

England U21: Setford, Lewis (Small 70), Acheampong, Alleyne, Hall (Norton-Cuffy 70), Miley (Peck 75), Bellingham, Bynoe-Gittens (King 61), Nwaneri, Mubama (Dibling 75), George.

Rep of Ireland U21: Jauny, McManus, Abankwah, Okagbue, Grehan, Devaney, Akachukwu (Hakiki 46), Adam Murphy (Moorhouse 82), Lipsiuc (Mullins 86), Kone-Doherty, Melia (O'Mahony 69).

Watch Hungary v Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday from 1pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1

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