2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

[tetsujin1979]

If it was any earlier, nobody would have been able to go because of work.

[Eirambler]

I can remember a packed out Lansdowne in the middle of a weekday afternoon when there were no floodlights, so I don't think that's true. Not everyone is tied to their desks 9 to 5 Monday to Friday thankfully. And for those that are, a 5pm kickoff will mean an early work finish anyway. A 4pm kickoff would have led to a higher attendance - committed fans would have been able to go to both games, people taking a day off to travel to Dublin could have got two games for their time spent etc.

But it would have been better again to take that aspect out of it completely and just play the game in Cork.

[JR89]

What nick is Turners Cross pitch in? Was poor this time last year and has been poor on a few occasions just for the U21s nevermind the younger age groups.

[Acornvilla]

I only caught the game in patches, very frustrating, clearly the far better team but couldn't get it done. Few lapses in judgement, but also a bit of overplaying it, and dribbling in to crowds when it was probably better to keep the ball moving, especially in the last 10 minutes, they're young and will learn, unsure how many of this cop will make it to senior level, but they're still in with a shout, you'll take 2nd and a playoff if it comes at this point, but there's always the chance of something magic.

[joey B]

What nick is Turners Cross pitch in? Was poor this time last year and has been poor on a few occasions just for the U21s nevermind the younger age groups.

Looked ok when I seen it recently,did the pitch in Tallaght look poor on tv to anyone else or just me?

[Acornvilla]

Looked ok when I seen it recently,did the pitch in Tallaght look poor on tv to anyone else or just me?
It definitely looked a little squishy for want of a better word.

[JR89]

Looked ok when I seen it recently,did the pitch in Tallaght look poor on tv to anyone else or just me?

Only caught the last few minutes but was on a small TV in a pub with the picture looking ****. The grass somehow had a luminesce green glow off it.

[nigel-harps1954]

Looked ok when I seen it recently,did the pitch in Tallaght look poor on tv to anyone else or just me?

Definitely thought it looked remarkably poor, which to be fair, is unlike Tallaght Stadium.

Agree though it should either have been in Cork or a 4pm kickoff. Would possibly have swayed my decision to travel from Donegal if there were a chance of getting both games in without a mad panic between. You could see a gathering of people standing at the gates ready to leave from about 60 minutes on the TV too.


For what it's worth, it was a much better watch than the senior game. Really should have battered Latvia and got sucker punched with two preventable goals.

24 attempts on goal and a draw to show for it. 10 corners and barely an attempt on target from any of them.

On another day that would have been a 6-0 or 7-0.

[elatedscum]

The reason it was played in Tallaght was due to the quality of the pitch in Turners Cross and them thinking they wanted the best playing surface. Turners Cross has always looked awful for the 21s.

Tallaght looked worse than it normally does yesterday.

FWIW if it had been played at 4.15 or whatever, I would have gone to both games. Thought about it and decided it was too stressful with traffic trying to do both.

[rebelmusic]

I'm nut sure on the rules but would there have been any option to play them both in the Aviva as a double bill?

[tetsujin1979]

Squad announced for final two qualifiers
First call up for Melia, as mentioned in his thread. James Furlong, Alex Murphy, Ollie O'Neill and Armstrong Oko-flex all miss out
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[Razors left peg]

Aaron Ochoa Maloney really should have been called up to this squad. Hes playing regularly for Malaga and Spain are hunting him... but yet we keep faith with the likes of Kenny

[nigel-harps1954]

Aaron Ochoa Maloney really should have been called up to this squad. Hes playing regularly for Malaga and Spain are hunting him... but yet we keep faith with the likes of Kenny

Isn't he a midfielder? Only just promoted from third tier in Spain so I'd take the Spanish national side rumours with a pinch of salt.

[elatedscum]

Isn't he a midfielder? Only just promoted from third tier in Spain so I'd take the Spanish national side rumours with a pinch of salt.

He’d be a replacement for Andy Moran in a squad where Gilsenen is injured and Goodrham is not available for selection. Probably should have been called up. He’s pretty good…

In fairness to Jonny Kenny, he was very good last night against APOEL

[pateen]

Kenny has come on quite a lot since last season where I really thought he was finished. Still has something to offer.

[Razors left peg]

Isn't he a midfielder? Only just promoted from third tier in Spain so I'd take the Spanish national side rumours with a pinch of salt.

Hes an attacking midfielder that could easily take the place of one of the forwards in the squad considering so many have been picked. I did say "the likes of Kenny", and by that I meant lads that most likely wont ever be a senior international. If we are looking solely at midfielders I'd have him in ahead Adeeko or Matt Healy.

Hes 17 playing every week for a good club in the Spanish 2nd tier. If he was playing in the Championship there'd be lads saying he should be in the senior squad let alone the u21s. I also wouldnt dismiss the Spain links, lads jump very quickly from the B teams of the Spanish clubs who play at a similar level to Maloney.... but sure its much more crowd pleasing to include another 17 year old whos playing at a lower level than Maloney because people know him better

[elatedscum]

Hes an attacking midfielder that could easily take the place of one of the forwards in the squad considering so many have been picked. I did say "the likes of Kenny", and by that I meant lads that most likely wont ever be a senior international. If we are looking solely at midfielders I'd have him in ahead Adeeko or Matt Healy.

Hes 17 playing every week for a good club in the Spanish 2nd tier. If he was playing in the Championship there'd be lads saying he should be in the senior squad let alone the u21s. I also wouldnt dismiss the Spain links, lads jump very quickly from the B teams of the Spanish clubs who play at a similar level to Maloney.... but sure its much more crowd pleasing to include another 17 year old whos playing at a lower level than Maloney because people know him better

It's a hard one to really figure. Doesn't really make sense to have 5 strikers, even if you're starting 2 up top. Emakhu and Armstrong start, which leaves O'Mahony, Kenny and Melia - 2 make a bench of 9. You'd be better calling up one fewer and adding a No.10.

You have 4 deep midfielders and Moran. Vata is I guess who he has as the replacement for Moran - but I think he's probably more of a winger than a No.10 at this stage. That's where Ochoa Moloney comes in. Alternatives are Gilsenen (injured) or Goodrham (unavailable) or Moloney or Leavy... Or maybe John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa? That's where he's played at youth level

You've also got Franco Umeh in the squad. Not sure really where he fits in - winger? striker? wing back?

[Razors left peg]

It's a hard one to really figure. Doesn't really make sense to have 5 strikers, even if you're starting 2 up top. Emakhu and Armstrong start, which leaves O'Mahony, Kenny and Melia - 2 make a bench of 9. You'd be better calling up one fewer and adding a No.10.

You have 4 deep midfielders and Moran. Vata is I guess who he has as the replacement for Moran - but I think he's probably more of a winger than a No.10 at this stage. That's where Ochoa Moloney comes in. Alternatives are Gilsenen (injured) or Goodrham (unavailable) or Moloney or Leavy... Or maybe John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa? That's where he's played at youth level

You've also got Franco Umeh in the squad. Not sure really where he fits in - winger? striker? wing back?

Exactly, and even if Maloney didnt play you'd rather have him involved than not. This isnt another kid doing well in youth football who might never make it in the mens game. We dont have too many lads his age making 1st teams at a high level. I would think hed be a decent lad to have on the bench if we needed a bit of creativity with time running out.

Melia being called up does also make sense, but I would have selected him instead of Kenny. I know he did ok this week, but hes no more than an average LOI level striker.

[liamoo11]

Moran has started as 1 of the 2 defensive midfielders for Stoke today in a formation that switches from 442 out of possession to a 433 in possession

[Acornvilla]

Exactly, and even if Maloney didnt play you'd rather have him involved than not. This isnt another kid doing well in youth football who might never make it in the mens game. We dont have too many lads his age making 1st teams at a high level. I would think hed be a decent lad to have on the bench if we needed a bit of creativity with time running out.

Melia being called up does also make sense, but I would have selected him instead of Kenny. I know he did ok this week, but hes no more than an average LOI level striker.
He's 21 years old and a goal off being the league's top scorer, I think he's more than average personally, has definitely been an improvement this year, but still struggling to put it all together consistently, when he's good he can win a game on his own, seems to be getting good at breaking offside traps and catching teams on the break, did it in the early CL games v the Icelandic side which were crucial goals and nearly carved similar ones v APOEL. I wasn't sure where his career was leading but long term I think he'll be too good for Shamrock Rovers and the league.

[liamoo11]

Moran has started as 1 of the 2 defensive midfielders for Stoke today in a formation that switches from 442 out of possession to a 433 in possession

Played well one lovely run and through ball for cannon who bottled it.

[nr637]

Friday, October 11
Ireland U21 v Norway U21, Turner's Cross Stadium, Cork, Kick-Off 7pm.

Hopefully a big crowd to help support and push the team on to victory!

[Eirambler]

A couple of questionable selections again from Crawford, let's see if his luck holds tonight.

[tetsujin1979]

1844782513631441320

[Eirambler]

I suppose if nothing else him starting Johnny Kenny at least takes away the fear of him bringing on Johnny Kenny when we need a goal later on in the game.*

*Kenny's going to score now that I've posted this.

[elatedscum]

Weird bench;

2 x goalkeeper
1 x centre back
1 x left back
1 x right back
1 x pure midfielder
2 x winger
1 x striker

[Olé Olé]

Disgraceful refereeing.

[zero]

really poor from the officials. feel for the squad and coaches.

[passinginterest]

Sickened for them. But feel like Garcia McNulty should be dealing with it better. Even with the foul he can poke it away but instead he turns it back into the forward. A very unfortunate habit of conceding late has cost them very badly over the campaign.

[Olé Olé]

Sickened for them. But feel like Garcia McNulty should be dealing with it better. Even with the foul he can poke it away but instead he turns it back into the forward. A very unfortunate habit of conceding late has cost them very badly over the campaign.

I don't know. He feels his shirt being dragged heavily. He is probably waiting for a certain free to come.

[Razors left peg]

Outrageous by the ref not to call the foul on Garcia McNulty. There were a few weird decisions by him all night, there was a clear foul on Emakhu not given on edge of box too. That said we should have beaten them well. We missed Hodge and Armstrong badly but they were there for the taking

[kennedmc]

Sickened for them. But feel like Garcia McNulty should be dealing with it better. Even with the foul he can poke it away but instead he turns it back into the forward. A very unfortunate habit of conceding late has cost them very badly over the campaign.

Agree re AGM

[elatedscum]

Obvious foul on AGM.

Saying that - Jim has 2 sets of subs to still make. In stoppage time, I was screaming just to make a sub. Just take off Moran and then take off Healy or whoever, bring on another centre half in O’Riordan and maybe Umeh. You’ll just wind down the clock

[liamoo11]

It will be great for this groups development to be in such a high pressure game where everything is on the line against a top team. If they had won last night the talk would have been about the Italy game been a free shot nothing to lose etc with the inevitable outcome

[Eirambler]

If I'm reading the permutations right it's really all or nothing. Win and they qualify, a draw is no different to a loss - either way they will need a favour from Turkey to sneak a playoff.

Qualification looks unlikely from here. But it's not completely over yet so I'll let things play out before I type what I genuinely think of Jim Crawford into a post...

[elatedscum]

Was just thinking that Omobamidele could have been sent from Greece to Italy. He could certain use the game and he didn't feature a minute for the seniors. Considering they're missing Lawal, Grehan and Murphy - would be a big upgrade to the squad. (Omobamidele v Abankwah/Adegboyega)

Festy and Troy were used last night but Tom Cannon would have also been useful. Who knows if there was a conversation or not. (Cannon v Kenny).

Overall, the numbers of injuries or unavailable players is pretty significant: (and you can add Sinclair Armstrong to the Norway game list). You'd certainly have a better team from that group than from the group we have called up)...

Bazunu (injured/senior)

Omobamidele (senior)
Lawal (injured)
Grehan (injured)
Murphy (injured)

Hodge (injured)
Gilsenen (injured)
Goodrham (focusing on club football / personal life / whatever)

Ebosele (senior)
Okoflex (injured)
Springett (injured)


Parrott (senior)
Cannon (not called up/considered a senior)
Carty (injured)
Fraser (whatever Jim said)
Melia (injured)

[Eirambler]

From previous comments it sounds like there's a feeling among the players that once they graduate to the senior squad they don't want to be demoted back to the under 21s. So it tends not to happen.

Incidentally I saw Wales tried to do it last week, they sent a few of their seniors down to the Under 21s for a crucial qualifier, then forgot to register them with UEFA. Ended up with none of the senior players, only half a subs bench, no sub keeper and lost the game. So, much as it feels things should be better with our underage systems, there are seemingly others that are even worse.

[nr637]

Friday, October 11th 2024

Ireland U21 v Norway U21, Turner's Cross Stadium, Cork, Kick-Off 7pm.

Attendance : 5,750

[tetsujin1979]

Starting XI v Italy
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Also, keep an eye on the Norway v Turkey game
https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/2037267--norway-vs-turkiye/

[zero]

have a bad feeling about this one - hopefully the group won't be deflated after the late equaliser the other night.

[passinginterest]

Started the game really well but need to make it count on the scoreboard. 55% possession first 15 mins making it hard for them to play out and creating a few decent chances especially from set pieces.

[zero]

norway ahead, putting us into 3rd as things stand.

[passinginterest]

And Italy counter from another good Irish chance at a set piece and go ahead. Nightmare.

[zero]

feels like it's over really. can see italy getting another couple.

[passinginterest]

There’s more goals and chances there for Ireland but they need to keep composure now. Italy hit the bar with another breakaway style chance.

[Eirambler]

A miracle needed at this point. If it comes it will probably be courtesy of Turkey.

But looking more likely that we have Crawforded it up for the third straight Under 21 campaign.

[passinginterest]

I was watching on the phone with no commentary but honestly thought first 20 minutes was as good as any I’ve seen from an Irish team. Lost composure a bit after Italy scored but can come back still I think. Definitely lucky with the missed penalty to still be in the game.

[Eirambler]

Yeah, it's a great group of players. But they've been let down badly by their manager in terms of tactics and selection. Arguably our three best Under 21 teams of modern times, and looking like there will not even be a single tournament qualification to show for it after four years under Crawford.

[~YTM~]

Jeez people need to get over this Crawford cost us qualification four years ago. He was manager for three games and Kenny took our best players with him when he moved on.

None of Parrott, Idah, Molumby, Knight, O'Shea, and Kelleher who played against Italy in the 0-0 draw were involved anymore when Crawford took over. That's basically the spine of the team ripped out. 7 of the 12 goals scored pre Crawford that campaign all came from Idah and Parrott alone

Molumby and O'Shea were captain and vice captain I believe plus all of them bar Parrott played in the 1-0 lose also against Iceland when Kenny was still manager.

[~YTM~]

Not qualifying this campaign is a lot harder to take than last campaign. Losing in a playoff is tough but Israel are in great form at underage level after putting good resources into their underage.

Which shows as they finished runners up at the U19 Euros (2022), third at U20 WC (2023) while beating big teams like Brazil and given eventual winners Uruguay a good game in the semis. Even the team that beat us got to the semis of the U21S Euros.

But this campaign in the last game we still could have topped the group and just look at all the dropped points we left behind us. 6pts even 9pts if you want to count the Norway away game. Overall we really should have topped the group.