Ireland Under-21s kick-off the first of two friendlies in Croatia today when they face the hosts Croatia in Zagreb.

Looking to build on victories against Sweden and Hungary since November it is the final international window before the Under-21 EURO Qualification begin in September.

Crawford’s young Boys in Green have trained in the Croatian capital in temperatures reaching 32C and it is expected to be similar conditions come kick-off in Vrbovec.

The 24-player squad is heavily influenced by the League of Ireland with 18 players either currently playing or having come through the league or EA SPORTS Academy pyramid.

There are also eight teenagers selected for the squad for what is a youthful Under-21s side.

This will be Croatia’s fourth game of the year having secured friendly wins over Egypt, Thailand and Qatar.
 

READ | David Okagbue's journey from Dublin grassroots football to Ireland U21 captaincy 
 

Match Details

Croatia U21 v Ireland U21
International Friendly
Friday, June 6
Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zegreb,
Kick-Off 5pm (local time) / 4pm (Irish time)
 

Match Coverage

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Looking to build on victories against Sweden and Hungary since November it is the final international window before the Under-21 EURO Qualification begin in September.

Crawford’s young Boys in Green have trained in the Croatian capital in temperatures reaching 32C and it is expected to be similar conditions come kick-off in Vrbovec.

The 24-player squad is heavily influenced by the League of Ireland with 18 players either currently playing or having come through the league or EA SPORTS Academy pyramid.

There are also eight teenagers selected for the squad for what is a youthful Under-21s side.

This will be Croatia’s fourth game of the year having secured friendly wins over Egypt, Thailand and Qatar.

Quotes

Ireland Under-21 Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “Croatia are a top side – they’re really good. This is what we want these are the games you want to play in because in those difficult moments you learn a lot about your players and what they need to do to get better as individuals.

“I’m looking forward to it, it’s extremely hot, I’m looking for two good performances over the week. We’ve a few players out but it presents new players a chance to stake a claim and be in the conversation come September.”
 

Ireland Under-21 defender Alex Murphy said: "It’s a very important camp. There are a lot of new lads and it’s about making them as comfortable as we can early on in the camp because after this it’s the qualifiers. It’s important we do that and show people the ropes and if they feel comfortable they’re going to play better football for us. I feel I’m one of the more senior lads in the squad there’s some lads three year younger and it’s important the lads who have been around the set-up for a while that we set the standard.”
 

Ticket details

Entry to the game is free.
 

Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad 

Goalkeepers: Killian Barrett (Sheffield Wednesday), Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Wogan (Stockport County).

Defenders: Sam Curtis (Sheffield United), Sean Grehan (Bohemians, on loan from Crystal Palace), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), David Okagbue (Walsall), Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wednesday), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Darius Lipsiuc (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City), Ed McJannet (Lecce), Jamie Mullins (Brighton & Hove Albion),  Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Southampton), Cathal O’Sullivan (Cork City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City).

Forwards: Warren Davis (Drogheda United), Cian Dillon (Queen’s Park Rangers), Joe Gardner (Nottingham Forest), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion).