Ireland Men’s Under-21s will take on Finland in the first leg of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Play-Off in Tampere on Friday (November 13).

The young Boys in Green come into the game in excellent form that saw them win the last four qualifying games to catapult them into the Play-Offs.

However they face a very strong Finland team who secured their own Play-Off place with a win over Spain. The Finns scored 34 goals in qualifying conceded just seven.

Exeter City and former Cobh Ramblers midfielder Charlie Cummins has travelled with the squad after Ike Orazi was ruled out this week through injury. All players were available for training ahead of tomorrow’s first-leg which is set to be played in wintery conditions with temperature hovering above freezing.

Match Details

Finland MU21 v Ireland MU21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Play-Off
Friday, November 13
Tammelan Stadion, Tampere, Finland
Kick-off 415pm (Irish time) / 6.15pm (local time)

Officials:

Referee: Christian-Petru Ciochirca (Austria)
Assistant Referee: Maximilian Weiss, Michael Obritzberger (Austria)
Fourth Official: Jakob Semler (Austria)

How to watch?

The game is available to watch on Virgin Media Sport

Quotes

Ireland Men’s Under-21 goalkeeper Noah Jauny said: “The vibe in camp has been very good and very positive and that comes from winning games. It’s always exciting to come into camp anyway but when you’ve an opportunity like we have it makes these games extra special. We know how big this could be and it’s about enjoying it.”

Ireland Men’s Under-21 Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “The training has been very good this week and the players know what is expected of them. They’ve earned the right to be here and we know how good Finland are. What we know is come full-time on Friday evening it’s half-time in the tie so that’s important for the players to understand.”
 

Ireland Men’s Under-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Royal Francs Borains), Owen Mason (Bromley), Conor Walsh (Shelbourne).

Defenders: Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers), Matteo Egan (Empoli), Oisin Gallagher (Barnet, on loan from Lincoln City), Sean 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), Charlie Cummins (Exeter City)*, Jacob Devaney (Hibernian, on loan from Manchester United), Rory Finneran (Notts County, on loan from Newcastle United), Darius Luipsic (Notts County), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers).

Forwards: Gbemi Arbui (Burton Albion), Leon Ayinde (Doncaster Rovers), Owen Elding (Hibernian), Trent Kone Doherty (Molde), Tommy Lonergan (Waterford), Kian McMahon Brown (Shrewsbury Town, on loan from Burnley).

*Replaced Ike Orazi

UEFA Under-21 European Championship Qualifier

Friday, November 13 |  Finland MU21 v Republic of Ireland MU21, Tammelan Stadion, Tampere, Finland | KO 4.15pm  (Irish time) | LIVE on Virgin Media Two