Kenny’s on a 5-year deal with Pats and without knowing the numbers, I’m sure its more than the U21 role could offer. I’d rather look elsewhere at somebody younger that could potentially be a senior manager in the future. The U21 role should be a stepping stone for the senior job.
Personally I'd rather keep the two completely separate for the most part. We do produce good underage teams from time to time,.but that can create a situation where an underage team makes a manager look better than he is, or it can be the case that a manager works well with younger players but it doesn't translate to experienced pros. We've tried it twice in modern times - with Kenny and Kerr - and neither was a success.
Ultimately, if a manager is in the frame for the Under 21 job and is gettable at the rate that role pays, that in itself may be a sign that he's not ready for the senior job. I think there almost always needs to be something in-between to prove suitability for the senior role, either at club level or with another national team.
Would Colin O'Brien be interested? A step up and a different kind of challenge than with the u17s but he'd obviously be aware of most of the young talent coming through. I think we'll all assuming Crawford won't be retained, though unsure what his contract status is.
Crawford has signed a separate contract for the duration of each campaign he has managed (failed) in. So it's almost certain that his contract will end once this qualification campaign ends and we can finally see the back of him. At the moment O'Brien seems as likely as anyone alright, and he would be working with many of the same players he has worked with before.
Squad named to face Moldova at home in Tallaght on Thursday evening and then away to Kazakhstan on the following Tuesday
https://www.fai.ie/latest/under-21s-...ro-qualifiers/
Benfica’s Jaden Umeh, Shamrock Rovers’ Adam Brennan, Malaga’s Aaron Ochoa-Moloney and Reading’s Sean Patton are named in an Under-21s squad for the first time.
Stephen O'Donnell announced as assistant coach
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026...and-under-21s/
Brutal start against Moldova. 1 down in the first 20 minutes. Really poor on the ball and some really bad decision making from Ireland early on.
Good free kick to level 1-1. Horrible positioning of a wall by the keeper practically gifted it but well taken nonetheless.
I can't decide if it's just a bad group of players or terrible coaching. Maybe a mixture of both.
O'Donnell is a good coach, he was a technically good player that read the game well, it will take some time to instil his ideas if he is able to as assistant. 21s have been a weakness for a long time which shouldnt really happen if they have shown something at younger age groups. It was a job for the boys, the u21 manager until Kenny who was serious about player development. Depending on who O'Donnell was appointed by would indicate things, FAI or Crawford.
The English needed a last minute penalty to come away with a point against Andorra last night.
Both. The Under 21s have been terribly coached for years. But Crawford got away with it because the quality of players at his disposal masked the standard of coaching. Now that we have a weaker group he's being quickly found out. We'd have qualified for at least one if not two of the recent Euros finals under a decent manager.Originally Posted by MylesNotMiley
He has some sketchy in-laws though.
If I question Liam Scales ability to play intl football, refer me to this signature & his peformance at home at lb vs Port on Nov 13 2025.
Signed
Kingdom.
I think in the measure of fairness it should be pointed out that we improved immeasureably once we went behind.
The two keepers for the two goals though...jesus christ.
If I question Liam Scales ability to play intl football, refer me to this signature & his peformance at home at lb vs Port on Nov 13 2025.
Signed
Kingdom.
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