‘For me Tallaght Stadium is a wonderful stadium’

TALLAGHT Stadium played host to a first Ireland U21’s game in two years on Tuesday night, reports James Ffrench.

That game, also held in September, likewise finished level as Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in the first leg of their playoff for the 2023 U21 European Championships.

The players may have changed from that side Jim Crawford led out with hopes of qualifying for a first tournament at this level, but the strong Tallaght representation has remained.

Current St Patrick’s Athletic player Joe Redmond and former hoop Mipo Odubeko both featured that night, alongside Tallaght native Jim Crawford of course.

On Tuesday night, former Moyle Park student and Shamrock Rovers player Sinclair Armstrong netted his sixth goal for the u21’s, while another local hero in Aidmou Emakhu also featured off the bench.

Both players now ply their trade in the English Championship, for Bristol City and Millwall respectively, with Armstrong already a fully fledged Ireland senior international after making his debut in September last year. Although the result on Tuesday was a frustrating one for Jim Crawford and his young side, he was happy to be back leading the side out in Tallaght regardless.

“I love being back in Tallaght, I love the place and the people that are around here as well.”

“For me Tallaght Stadum is a wonderful stadium, a wonderful place.

“Some of the lads have obviously played here before, it’s a decent surface that lends itself to the group of players we have.”

With two games to go in the group, Crawford remained optimistic about qualification for a maiden u21 finals.

“It is what is now, Tallaght is done and we’re down in Cork in a few weeks’ time.”