Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-21s head into their crucial UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier against Kazakhstan in Cork knowing a play-off place remains in their sights.

An excellent 2-0 win over Slovakia in Kišoce thanks to goals from Waterford’s Tommy Lonergan and former Bohemians defender Sean Grehan earned a huge three points on the road.

It means that should they secure the win at the Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium on Tuesday evening they would leapfrog Slovakia into second place with Slovakia set to face England in England on Friday.

TICKETS FOR IRELAND MU21 V KAZAKHSTAN MU21

But Head Coach Jim Crawford knows how difficult their Group D opponents are. The visitors put up a spirited display against England last week lost 4-2, and in March it took a last-minute Oisin Gallagher header to win the game out in Kazakhstan.

Speaking ahead of the game, Jim said: “It won’t be easy. They carry a lot of threats, particularly on the counter attack. They put it up to England in their last game but we’ll be prepared for it.

“It’s been an excellent camp so far, the players have bought into everything, they’ve all worked so hard and all been pushing each other which is what is needed in a camp to get the result like we did in Slovakia. But that’s past us now we have a massive night coming up on Tuesday.

“We’ll need the fans. We’ll need their support because we’re in a really nice position because if we can get the three points on Tuesday, who knows? We could be in a play-off place come November.”

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Royal Francs Borains), Marcus Gill (Celtic), Joe Collins (Swansea City), Conor Walsh (Shelbourne).

Defenders: Sam Curtis (Cambridge United, on loan from Sheffield United), Seán Grehan (Doncaster Rovers), Cathal McCarthy (Kilmarnock, on loan from Hull City), Conor McManus (Gillingham), Alex Murphy (1. FC Kaiserslautern, on loan from Newcastle United), David Okagbue (Peterborough United).

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Southampton), Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers), Jacob Devaney (Hibernian, on loan from Manchester United), Rory Finneran (Notts County, on loan from Newcastle United), Darius Lipsiuc (Notts County), Oísin Gallagher (Barnet, on loan from Lincoln City), Grady McDonnell (Nottingham Forest), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers). ​​

Forwards: Leon Ayinde (Doncaster Rovers), Trent Kone-Doherty (Molde FK), Tommy Lonergan (Waterford), Kian McMahon Brown (Shrewsbury Town, on loan from Burnley), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Ike Orazi (Stade de Reims).

UEFA Under-21 European Championship Qualifier

Tuesday,  September 29 |  Ireland MU21 v Kazakhstan MU21, Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium, Cork, KO 19:00, Live for free on LOITV