Crawford announces panel for crucial Euro qualification phase

MANAGER Jim Crawford has announced his 25-man Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad ahead of their upcoming UEFA European Championship qualifiers in June.

The Tallaght man will see his side take on Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday, June 3 and Montenegro on Monday, June 6 in Tallaght Stadium before they then travel to Ascoli where they face off against pool leaders, Italy in their final game in Group F on Tuesday, June 14.

Included in the panel are Shamrock Rovers defender, Andy Lyons and St Patrick’s Athletic forward, Darragh Burns along with Tallaght man, Mipo Odubeko also in attack.

Crawford has seen his team work their way into a very promising position in Group F where they currently sit third in the table, just a point behind second place, Sweden but with a match in hand.

And should they earn maximum points from their next two games, they could well be in a position to possibly reel in the Italians themselves, should the Azzurri drop points in either of their next two matches against Luxembourg and Sweden.

Ireland will be heading into this crucial phase of the campaign on the back of their 2-0 triumph over Sweden in Borås.

And Crawford will be hoping he and his team will garner huge support in his home town as they look to become the first Ireland Under 21 side to reach a European Championship Finals.