A week is a long time in football.
With the Uefa Nations League group billed by Stephen Kenny as one his team were aiming to win, a return of no goals and no points after the first two games is hugely disappointing.
In contrast though, the Republic of Ireland under-21′s have had two excellent results in beating both Bosnia Herzegovina 3-0 last Friday and Montenegro 3-1 on Monday. Italy’s draw with Sweden yesterday means that Jim Crawford’s team goes to Ascoli – Liam Brady country! – on Tuesday knowing that a win would secure direct qualification to next year’s European Championships.
No Irish under-21s side has ever reached a major tournament.
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Having watched all of their games in this campaign, it’s clear there has been real growth in the team, despite nine eligible players not being available to Crawford as they have already progressed to the senior panel.
The games against Bosnia and Montenegro showed a real maturity in how the team plays together, despite the fact that the back line had two debutants in the win over Montenegro.
After receiving his international clearance late last week, Derby County’s Eiran Cashin got his first start at centre-back whilst Tayo Adaramola of Crystal Palace, also had a very composed and assured first start at left-back, before an injury late in the game.
Each match was very different in its nature and the performance against Montenegro was significantly better than the away defeat to the same side that earlier in the campaign. So the group are learning all the time and it’s such a positive thing to see.
Will Smallbone’s return to the squad after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which he suffered in January 2021 when playing for Southampton, has also proved hugely significant. His impact against Bosnia earned him the Man-of-the-Match award and he was certainly a contender for the same accolade against Montenegro as he marshalled midfield from a deeper position.
Alongside the hugely influential Conor Coventry, the pair controlled the game for large spells allowing the creativity and flair of Conor Noss take centre-stage ahead of them.
His partnership with centre-forward, JJ Kayode, was hugely troublesome for Montenegro until the visitors adjusted to deny the space afforded to Noss in the first half. But then a timely intervention from Crawford saw the reinstatement of Gavin Kilkenny to centre-midfield alongside Coventry, with Smallbone pushed further forward to partner 17-year-old Evan Ferguson.
This change had an almost immediate impact, with Kilkenny and Ferguson combining brilliantly in the build-up to Ireland’s third goal, which Tyriek Wright tucked away with a sweet finish.
UCD’s Liam Kerrigan also showed his pace and appetite to take defenders on, adding an important dimension to Ireland’s attack.
There is a lovely balance to this team and they are enjoyable to watch. They also have depth in the squad, which is an incredible luxury considering the nine players eligible for this level, but not available to Crawford.
Dawson Devoy, Jake O’Brien, Oliver O’Neill, Andy Lyons, Ross Tierney and Mipo Odubeko were all amongst the substitutes for this game so really it augers well if these players can continue to get game time at their clubs and develop at international level.
Of course there is no denying the real function of the under-21s is to get players through to senior level but the value in this team making a European Championships would be immense. They are guaranteed a play-off. To qualify would expose them to major tournament football, pitting them against top players and asking more questions from a tactical, physical and mental capacity.
Experience like that is invaluable for players and staff. There is great interest in this team because of the talent that’s there and the fact the games have been on TV is great for the public. But also for the players.
The additional scrutiny might bring more pressure, but it is a real positive because it shows people care about the players coming through and there is a genuine interest in the area of player development in this country now, that perhaps went under the radar in previous times.
It’s hard to believe Ireland have never qualified for a major tournament at this level, but stepping up and achieving that would be hugely significant, not just for Crawford and his staff but also for his players.
It would set a welcome new standard for Irish football and the benefits would endure.
Crawford said that last Monday’s game v Montenegro was the biggest in Irish under-21 history. He was right and by winning it, they have set up the next biggest game. Italy are a very good side and won 2-0 in Tallaght last November so, if they can get over the line, it would be an achievement that reverberates. Everyone attached to Irish football needs it to happen right about now.
A week really is a long time in football.
