Tallaght to host U21 UEFA Euro Championship qualifier

TALLAGHT Stadium will play host to Ireland against Latvia in Group 1 of the UEFA European Championship Qualifiers next Tuesday night, reports James Ffrench.

Jim Crawford’s men will first head to Istanbul on Friday night in what is a crucial game in the makeup of the group.

His side sit second in the table, two points behind Italy with a game in hand and one point ahead of third place Norway.

There is a strong former and current Shamrock Rovers representation in Ireland’s squad, with former hoops Sinclair Armstrong, Aidomo Emakhu, James Furlong, Killian Cahill and current hoop Johnny Kenny all included in the squad.

While former St Patrick’s Athletic players Josh Keeley, James Abankwah and Sam Curtis also made the squad.

Crawford will be missing some members of the last squad due to injury, with Bosun Lawal, Tayo Adaramola, Tony Springett, Zak Gilsenan and Sean Grehan all missing out.

Tallaght Stadium will host the U21 European Championship qualifier

In their place, Crystal Palace and former Cork City player Franco Umeh was called up alongside Dundee United loanee and former Drogheda United defender Emmanuel Adegboyega.

Jim Crawford has also reinforced his backroom team with Stephen Rice joining the Under-21s coaching staff as Assistant Coach having worked with the Men’s Senior Team as Chief Scout and opposition analyst for the last three years.

Rene Gilmartin, who is the Head of Goalkeeping at Ipswich Town and served as goalkeeping coach with the Senior Team in the last two international windows, returns to the Under-21s in the same role, having been involved in the position since 2019.

Reflecting on the coaching team Jim Crawford from Tallaght said: “Firstly, I would like to welcome Stephen to the Under-21s.

“He’s someone I’ve worked with numerous times and he’s an exciting and talented coach and someone who will bring a lot to our young players.

“He’s a former Ireland youth international and if you add that with his experience with the senior team it’ll be a benefit to our young players.

“I’m also delighted to have Rene Gilmartin back involved with the Under 21s.

“I’ve worked with Rene for more than five years and he’s a hugely impressive coach and big asset to us.

“He’s doing brilliant things with Ipswich Town and knows our group of goalkeepers well, has a brilliant knowledge of set-pieces and knows the standard needed at international level which is invaluable to us.”

The fixture against Latvia will be the first time the u21’s have played there so far in this campaign, with Turners Cross used for every other home game so far.

Victory in Tallaght on Tuesday night will go a long way to securing a first major tournament for the country at this level.