Hello everyone, we look forward to welcoming you to Tallaght Stadium this evening.

It’s great to be back in Ireland for what is our first Under-21s international on home soil for almost a year – it felt longer in truth!

It’s exciting to bring a new young and hungry Under-21s team to the Irish public and I’ve no doubts everyone will get behind these boys as they have done with other teams in previous campaigns.

BUY TICKETS | IRELAND U21 VS ANDORRA U21 

Firstly, I’d like to wish our former assistant coach Stephen Rice all the best in his new role with Brentford. Stephen was a welcome addition to the coaching team, worked incredibly hard for us, and we thank him for his role in helping prepare the boys for this new campaign.

Before I turn my attention to a new group of Under-21s, I want to thank last year’s players for all their efforts and endeavours during the two years we were together. Some of those have gone on to earn caps with the senior team and I’m thrilled and immensely proud for them all. 

We went so close to gaining a play-off place for the EUROs. Goal difference was what separated us from achieving that feat and when you see we lost just once in qualification and earned more points than several teams making the play-offs, it’s a difficult one to take. But it shows the fine margins in football and that group captured the imagination of the Irish public and set a new standard that will act as an inspiration for the new group of Under-21s before you this evening.

Some of those involved last term will be here tonight. James Abankwah (who captained us against Moldova) and Rocco Vata (who is on the cusp to equalling Robbie Brady’s and Kevin Doyle’s Under-21s goalscoring record of seven) have both been involved in the senior team – a fantastic feat for them. Add that to experience of last year with Sean Grehan, Alex Murphy, Adam Murphy and Mark O’Mahony and they’ll know what’s required to reach our North Star of qualification to a European Championship.

Despite that experience, I do believe this current squad is the youngest Under-21s squad I’ve named and I’d argue possibly the youngest in the history of the Under-21s. We have 10 teenagers in the team, and three of them ended the game on Thursday. Huge credit must go to those boys for stepping up to the mark and helping deliver the win against Moldova.

People hear the phrase ‘there are no easy games in international football’ and think it is cliché. I can assure you it’s absolutely the case, teams who traditionally would have struggled at international level are getting stronger by the year, they’re more technical and have access to improved facilities and it’s why three points away in this group is a pleasing result.

I’m sure you’ll join me in welcoming Andorra to Dublin tonight. We hope they enjoy their stay in our country.  Tonight we know the difficulties and challenges Andorra possess, but we will go all out to ensure two wins from our opening two qualifiers, which is a massive step for this group.

I’d like to sign-off my message to you all by mentioning two people sadly no longer with us. I wish to send my condolences to the Ferguson family after the passing of Fergus. Fergus, a father to Barry Ferguson and grandfather to Evan, was frequently at our Under-21s game supporting Evan and we’ll be thinking of all the family. Also, Ollie Horgan. I think the tributes paid to one of the great men of Irish football is telling about the impact he had on football in this country. He and his family will be close to my thoughts this evening as we take part in the game he loved so much.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Jim Crawford - Ireland Under-21s Head Coach

Match Details

Ireland U21 vs Andorra U21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Tuesday, September 9
Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 7.30pm

Where to watch

The match is being broadcast on RTÉ2

Match Officials

Referee: Heini Ziskason Viðoy (Faroe Islands)
Assistant Referees: Jørleif Djurhuus & Jógvan Breckmann (Faroe Islands)
Fourth Official: Jákup Øssursson Mohr (Faroe Islands)

Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Wogan (Chester FC, on loan from Stockport County).

Defenders: James Abankwah (Watford), Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Sean Grehan (Doncaster Rovers), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), David Okagbue (Peterborough United), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion),  Freddie Turley (Derby County).

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Southampton), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Darius Lipsiuc (Solihull Moors, on loan from Stoke City), Cathal McCarthy (Hull City), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City).

Forwards: Cian Dillon (Queens Park Rangers), Trent Kone-Doherty (Liverpool), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Mark O’Mahony (Reading, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Rocco Vata (Watford).