Ireland U21s - 2025 Campaign

J89 wrote: Wouldn't be surprised if Crawford goes back to four at the back but we've got a number of left footed CBs in Garcia MacNulty, Roughan, and Murphy if three at the back is preferred. Could get a decent back five of Ebosele - Abankwah - Lawal - MacNulty - Adaramola. Plenty of pace in the WBs, the CBs are nicely balanced with a right and left footer either side of Lawal.

Sam Curtis could be promoted to 21s for RWB if Festy dosent fancy it as he has looked more than capable for Pat's in the LOI if not Boyce off Dery is probably the other one who could play there.

Edited by JoxerDaly - 27 Jan 2023 at 9:17pm

Even though Curtis is a young 2005 and would have another year of U19s again next season think we'll see him move up to U21s. Ferizaj and Vata would be another two I think will make the step up.

Zefi given the hype around him will be around pushing for the U21s but if I had to pick just one I'd love for it to be Vata. He's always looked good playing in that number ten role behind the striker. Have always been more impressed with him and Ferizaj for the 2005 group.

SeaSharp wrote: J89 wrote: Wouldn't be surprised if Crawford goes back to four at the back but we've got a number of left footed CBs in Garcia MacNulty, Roughan, and Murphy if three at the back is preferred. Could get a decent back five of Ebosele - Abankwah - Lawal - MacNulty - Adaramola. Plenty of pace in the WBs, the CBs are nicely balanced with a right and left footer either side of Lawal. Much rather see Roughan at LWB if that were to be the setup.

Would likely be Roughan given his experience playing senior games but Crawford has called Adaramola up and given him a start in a must win game back in June.

Not sure what Roughan is like pace wise though he used to be a winger but would like to see us use WBs that have serious pace to threaten teams.

Edited by J89 - 27 Jan 2023 at 9:47pm

kevincronin2000 wrote: Friendly  versus Iceland in Turners Cross on March 28th to be announced soon.

Like the good old days. U21s @ The Cross. 

You Tell Me wrote: Confirmed now. If they get a good crowd in they should consider moving all the 21s games there. Crowds in Tallaght haven't been great. The IRFU have had success taking the Under 20 rugby games down there so possibly it could work for the FAI also.

You Tell Me wrote: We've snuck into pot 2 as the 18th and lowest ranked second seeds for this. Draw is on Thursday morning. Three automatic qualification places available for group runners up as well (in addition to playoffs for the other second placed teams) so it could work out nicely depending on how the draw goes.

I'd doubt there'll be a qualifier in March, and think they'd be stupid to agree to have one of the qualifiers played in March. Let the first game set of qualifiers till September and use both March and June as training camps.

Iceland match is also at the backend of March's window so any qualifier would have to be before the friendly.

Draw this morning 8am