Republic of Ireland Under-21s will take on Iceland in a friendly at Turner’s Cross, Cork on Sunday, March 26 – it has been confirmed.

It is the first time in 14 years the Under-21s have played in Cork with Jim Crawford’s team using the friendly as preparation for their upcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification campaign.

Their first game of 2023 will see a new generation of Under-21s head to Cork in their first game on Irish soil since almost 7,000 fans packed into Tallaght Stadium for the play-offs with Israel in September.

Turner’s Cross has long been a host to the Under-21s with Ireland facing some of Europe’s heavyweights such as Germany, England, France and Portugal.

Ticket are now on public sale. They are priced €10 for adults, €5 for children with a family ticket (two adults, two children) priced at €20.

The game against Iceland, who like Ireland reached the U21 EURO play-offs, will be key preparation for Crawford ahead of qualification later this year. Ireland have been drawn in Group A where they will face Italy, Norway, Türkiye, Latvia and San Marino.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “I’m really excited to be bringing a team to Cork and showing our fans the talent that Irish football has to offer.

“When you see how much the Cork public came out to watch other Irish international sides and their hometown club Cork City you can’t help but be enticed to play a game in what is a great city.

“We had some amazing games in Tallaght Stadium and the fans in Dublin really got behind us and I have every hope those in Cork and beyond will do just the same.

“Iceland will be a tough opponent and like ourselves reached the play-offs in the last campaign. It’s the reason I wanted test ourselves against such quality players and it will make for a fascinating game.”

Match Details

Fixture: Ireland U21s v Iceland U21s

Competition: International Friendly

Venue: Turner’s Cross, Cork

Date: Sunday, March 26

Kick-off: 4pm

Tickets: On sale here | €10 Adults, €5 children, €20 family ticket (two adults, two children)

Club Ireland members and Season Ticket Holders have until 10am on Monday, February 20 to redeem their ticket. They can do so by following the link and selecting the 'redeem ticket' option https://am.ticketmaster.com/fai/roivicesth

TV: TBC

Last 3 meetings

15.11.20 | Ireland 1-2 Iceland, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
15.10.19 | Iceland 1-0 Ireland, Viking Stadium, Reykavik, UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
22.03.18 | Ireland 3-1 Iceland, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, International Friendly

Fact

In the last friendly meeting between the nations in 2018, Rory Hale, then of Derry City gave Ireland the lead after just 14 seconds. Ireland won the game in Tallaght Stadium 3-1.