Republic of Ireland Under-21s Head Coach Jim Crawford has named a 24-man squad for the UEFA Under-21 EURO Qualification double-header against Norway and Italy.

Ireland currently sit top of Group A after three wins out of three but will face a tough test against Norway in Drammen (Friday, November 17) before returning to Ireland to take on Italy at Turner’s Cross, Cork on Tuesday, November 21.

Killian Phillips (on loan at Wycombe Wanderers from Crystal Palace) returns to the squad as does his parent club teammate Tayo Adaramola. There’s a first call-up since March for St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Kian Leavy, with Sean Roughan (Lincoln City) also available for selection after serving a two-match suspension.

Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (PEC Zwolle) returns after missing the Latvia win due to injury but Under-21s captain Joe Hodge is ruled out having undergone shoulder surgery.

Ireland head to Norway next week with fans able to watch the qualifier against the Norwegians live on RTÉ (kick-off 5.00pm).

And they’ll be backed by more than 3,500 fans in Turner’s Cross days later with fans already securing their tickets for the highly anticipated game against Italy in Cork. Tickets are priced at €10 for adults, €5 for juniors and a family ticket (2 adults, 2 juniors) priced at €25.

Tickets are available here

Speaking about his squad selection, Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “These will be two tough games against two quality teams and we’re certainly looking forward to them.

“We have great momentum going into this international window but Norway and Italy will pose new tests for us. They’re exciting games to be involved in and to hear we have a healthy crowd expected at Turner’s Cross highlights shows how much backing the public in Cork have for this group of players and it would be amazing to see it sell-out.”


Republic of Ireland Under-21s

Goalkeepers: Tiernan Brooks (Cork City, on loan from Notts County), Killian Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Keeley (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Charlton Athletic, on loan from Udinese), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (PEC Zwolle), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), Bosun Lawal (Fleetwood Town, on loan from Celtic), Connor O’Riordan (Crewe Alexandra), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)

Midfielders: Baba Adeeko (Wigan Athletic), Zak Gilsenan (Blackburn Rovers), Matt Healy (Royal Francs Borains), Kian Leavy (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Adam Murphy (St. Patrick's Athletic)*, Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Killian Phillips (Wycombe Wanderers, on-loan from Crystal Palace)

Forward: Sinclair Armstrong (QPR), Conor Carty (St. Patrick’s Athletic, on loan from Bolton Wanderers), Aidomo Emakhu (Millwall), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Armstrong Oko-Flex (FC Zurich), Tony Springett (Norwich City)

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers (Kick-Offs Irish Standard Time)

Friday, November 17 | Norway U21 v Ireland U21, Marienlyst, Drammen, Norway, Kick-Off 5.00pm

Tuesday, November 21 | Ireland U21 v Italy U21, Turner’s Cross, Cork, Kick-Off 5.30pm

*Adam Murphy was called into the squad for Andrew Moran (Blackburn Rovers, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion) who was called into the Men's Senior Time.