Ireland Under-21s face Latvia in Jelgava on Friday looking to make it three wins out of three in qualifying for the UEFA European Under-21 Championships.

Two wins in Cork in September made it the perfect start for Ireland who come into the game in good confidence having overcome Türkiye (3-2) and San Marino (3-0).

They face a Latvian side who are yet to taste defeat at home and held Italy to a 0-0 draw last month. Fans of the young Boys in Green will be able to watch the game for free on LOITV HERE


What they said

Ireland Under-21s Captain Joe Hodge: “All our focus is on this Latvia game and that’s been the way since the start of this week and that helps in a one-game window. The lads were fantastic in the last window and I loved watching it but it’s better to be involved this time.

“We won’t underestimate Latvia, we’ve seen their record at home, they’re a good side and we’re fully focused.”


Ireland Under-21s Assistant Coach Alan Reynolds: “Latvia drew against Italy over here in the last window and we will give them all their due respect. A lot of preparation has gone into this game before we met up for the camp but it’s important that we remember the quality we have and focus on what we can do to hurt teams.”

Team News

Ollie O’Neill, Conor Carty, Evan Weir and Tiernan Brooks were late additions to the squad and have travelled to Latvia. Anselmo Garcia MacNulty and Rocco Vata were both ruled out of the trip due to injury.

Match Details

Fixture: Latvia U21 v Ireland U21
Date: Friday, October 13
KO time: 1pm (Irish Standard Time)
Stadium: Zemgales Olympic Centre, Jelgava
Match Coverage: LOITV, free to watch for those who register (Island of Ireland only)
Match Stat: This is the first meeting between the nations at this level for 28 years. Ireland won that game 1-0 in Galway

Match officials
Referee: Oliver Reitala (Finland)
Assistants Referee: Mika Lamppu (Finland) Olli Jantunen (Finland)
Fourth Official: Joni Hyytiä (Finland)

Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad

Goalkeepers: Tiernan Brooks (Cork City, on loan from Notts County), Killian Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Keeley (Tottenham Hotspur) Owen Mason (Wexford, on loan from Mansfield Town)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Charlton Athletic, on loan from Udinese), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), James Furlong (Hull City), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), Bosun Lawal (Fleetwood Town, on loan from Celtic), Connor O’Riordan (Crewe Alexandra), Evan Weir (Drogheda United)

Midfielders: Baba Adeeko (Wigan Athletic), Zak Gilsenan (Blackburn Rovers), Matt Healy (Royal Francs Borains), (Joe Hodge (Wolves), Ed McJannet (Lecce), Andrew Moran (Blackburn Rovers, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (QPR), Conor Carty (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Aidomo Emakhu (Millwall), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Armstrong Oko-Flex (FC Zürich), Tony Springett (Norwich City)