Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-21s secured a play-off place with a famous 3-1 win over back-to-back European Champions England in Cork.

Two goals from Waterford’s Tommy Lonergan and a third Under-21s goal for Gillingham’s Conor McManus paved the way for an excellent victory over the group winners.

The win meant Jim Crawford’s team pipped Slovakia to second spot, representing a superb turnaround having trailed second by six points in March.

But a flawless September/October international window that included an away win in Slovakia and a dramatic late victory over Kazakhstan meant Ireland needed to better or match Slovakia’s result to secure a play-off place for only the second time in their history.

A packed-out Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium welcomed the previously unbeaten England and former Ireland international Lee Carsley saw his talented side take an early lead through Everton’s Tyler Dibling.

The crowd rallied the young Irish team and it would be in the 22nd minute when Lonergan fired home the equaliser. Jacob Devaney did excellent to pounce on English hesitancy in midfielder, Rory Finneran picked up the loose ball and weighted perfect pass for Lonergan to take a touch and fire into the bottom corner for 1-1.

The goal came at the perfect time as Slovakia had taken a 1-0 lead in the other game in Group D and had Ireland sat in third place.

However the game was flipped on its head in the 38th minute. McManus won the boy in midfield and Trent Kone Doherty broke forward at speed, McManus’ underlapping run got him on the blindside of his man and Kone Doherty rolled the pass into the path of the former Bray Wanderers man to fire past Tommy Stetford at his near post for 2-1.

Ireland were back in the play-off places and in the 63rd minute they gave themselves breathing room in the contest. Seán Grehan’s long throw caused issues in the England defence, they failed to deal with the bouncing ball that fell into the path of Lonergan to smash home his fourth goal for the Under-21s in three games.

That goal changed the impetus for Ireland who knew the three points would earn them a play-off place. England began to dominate the final 20 minutes. Tottenham Hotspur striker William Lankshear saw his attempt strike the foot of the post, and Everton’s Tyreik George forced Noah Jauny into a excellent reflex save as Ireland fought with every tackle and block to preserve their lead.

The final whistle was met with wild celebrations as Ireland held on to their win and in doing so recorded the highest points total in qualifying of any Irish Under-21 side.

Speaking after the game Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “We never doubted the group of players we have here. Since they came in post-Andorra they’ve taken onboard the information the coaching staff have given them and worked exceptionally hard at their clubs and in with us. I thought they were outstanding to a man, they produced a hell of a performance and showed great character to come back from 1-0 down and score three goals against an unbelievable team.”

The draw for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Play-Off takes place at 10am (Irish time) on Friday.

Ireland: Jauny; Gallagher, Grehan (C), Murphy; McCarthy,  Finneran, Devaney, McManus (Lipsiuc 64’); Mullins (Noonan 82’),  Kone-Doherty (Akachukwu ‘72); Lonergan (McDonnell ‘82).

England:  Setford; Simpson-Pusey,  Mfuni, Alleyne, Cozier-Duberry (George 61’), King, Peck (Lankshear 68’), Gray (C), Dibling (Armstrong 61’),  Mubama, Mwaneri (Mukasa 46).

Referee: Allesandro Dudic (Switzerland)