Thought I'd make a new thread as the others I searched for were dedicated to previous campaigns.

Next campaign is for players born on/after the 1st of January 2002.

This is the player pool as far as I can see.

Mostly 02/03 born.

Players in [brackets] are 04/05 born.

Players in bold have U21 caps:

                                                         ST                       
                                       Emakhu            Armstrong   
                                       Carty                Kenny 
                                       Odubeko          Calum Kavanagh 

                                       [O'Mahony]     Cian Kavanagh

                                       [Lonergan]        [Fraser]

   

                      LW                                                                  RW      

                O'Neill                              AM                           Costelloe

                Oko-Flex                      Moran                        [Vata]
                Springett                     Gilsenan                      Burns

                Goodrham                     Leavy                         Duffy 

                O'Kane                         [Vaughan]                    [Umeh]

                Hayes                           Mooney                        Harkin

                Fitzhugh                                                           Fitzgerald

                                                   

                                                                                

                                          CM                         CM        
                                      Hodge                   Phillips 
                                      Lawal                    Adeeko 
                                      Healy                    [Murphy] 

                                      [McJannet]           Henry-Francis

                                      Corbally                 Noonan  
                                      McCormack           Adebambo

                                      Ibrahim                  John Patrick

     LB/LWB                                                                                           RB/RWB   

 Adaramola                                                                                      [Curtis]

 Furlong                                                                                           [Abankwah]

 Greenwood                                     CB                                             Caffrey
 Adedokun          Roughan        Garcia-MacNulty    [Grehan]           Solomon

                         [Murphy]         O'Riordan               L.Kavanagh

                         McGrath           Negru                      Mills

                         Watson            Egan                        Adegboyega

                         Adetoro           Ogungbo                 [Okagbue]
                         Jones              [Heffernan]
 

                                                       GK    
                                                   Keeley
                                                   Brooks
                                                   Cahill

                                                  [Wogan]

                                                   Corcoran

                                                  [Mason]

                                                   Doherty

                                                   Rose

                                                   Blair

I'm sure I missed a few names here and there (& more will pop up as the campaign goes on), so if you want to point them out I'll add them in.

Also, not entirely sure of the positions for a few lads (like Caffrey), and obviously some can play multiple positions.

Moran - 3 goals, 5 assists

Armstrong - 4 goals, 1 assist

Vata - 5 goals

Emakhu - 3 goals, 1 assist

Oko-Flex - 3 goals

Lawal - 1 goal, 1 assist

Carty - 1 goal, 1 assist

Phillips - 1 goal

Gilsenan - 1 goal

Kenny - 1 goal

O'Neill - 1 goal

Springett - 2 assists

Curtis - 2 assists

Healy - 2 assists

Hodge - 1 assist

[Cannon - 1 goal]

Bazunu, Parrott, Omobamidele, Ferguson, Ebosele, Moran

--

Looks like a strong group, RWB might be a problem area if Ebosele is called up to the seniors.

Unlike the previous 2 campaigns, this group should largely be able to stay together for the whole thing.

We look very light at the back based on the list as it stands, and the goalkeeper position is up for grabs.

The draw is on Feb 2nd, I believe, so hopefully we get an idea of the fixtures list soon after that.

Pot 2 would be a welcome development for sure.

To add, it is also possible we get a match in in March, like we did when Kenny took over.

A permanent move or a loan? Still a very young guy so possibly focusing on college instead of football?

That was a permanent move for him. I think dropping to that level means he's sh*t, basically.

He's just not that great, looked fairly poor any time he played underage for us. I'd say he's just trying to get as much out of the experience as he can.

Not sure who will be our Under 21 keeper for the next campaign - could be a weak spot again like last time. Maher started well enough but got worse as time went on. There's a couple of young Irish keepers playing PL2 at Tottenham - Josh Keeley and Aaron Maguire. Might be one of them that gets the jersey.

Slovakia have been confirmed as the hosts. So the question is whether they were ranked higher than us or not in the seedings. It looks like they were the highest ranked third seed last time and they came second in their group, so that would suggest there's a decent chance that they would have been above us and we might well get bumped up to second seeds ahead of the draw.

I took Ferguson out of the squad in the first post, it seems unlikely that he'll go back to the U21s at this point.

Would imagine Cannon will get the nod for starting striker for March as he'll be playing regularly in the Championship. If we're going 2 up top, Odubeko, Kenny & Armstrong likely fight for the second spot.

Springett & Costelloe getting loans will see them in the frame, but Oko-Flex could miss out (I think he should be involved, but Crawford relies very heavily on on senior gametime to pick his squad).

You Tell Me wrote: Not sure who will be our Under 21 keeper for the next campaign - could be a weak spot again like last time. Maher started well enough but got worse as time went on. There's a couple of young Irish keepers playing PL2 at Tottenham - Josh Keeley and Aaron Maguire. Might be one of them that gets the jersey.

Keeley was with the last squad for the Israel games so he'll probably get the first shot at it.

Think Maguire will stay with the U19s.

Fozz wrote: Nice work gathering the names. We look very light at the back based on the list as it stands, and the goalkeeper position is up for grabs. The draw is on Feb 2nd, I believe, so hopefully we get an idea of the fixtures list soon after that.

Yeah not many CBs left in the age group with Omobamidele in the seniors, but I think Abankwah is ready to move up. He was captain of the U19s in the last campaign and got 11 caps. Murphy also seems like he could be on an accelerated path.

Much rather see Roughan at LWB if that were to be the setup. 

Wonder if Ebosele will want to be part of this campaign at all. There seemed to be friction between him and Crawford last time around. We seem light in that position so hopefully he is happy to play.

They turned us over twice in the Kenny campaign, 2nd match was under Jim that time.
That cost us.  A good test.

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.

First U21 International in Turners Cross since 2009

They used to move the games around between the Cross, RSC and Showgrounds before settling on Tallaght to include games on the season ticket because attendances were shocking everywhere else. I doubt much has changed as they cant compete with the population density of Tallaght never mind Dublin.

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.

Massive boost getting into Pot 2.
Very excited for this campaign...gotta get down to langerland for that friendly 

Agree that we can use the March and June windows to bed in the new squad and determine the best formation and staring XI.

Italy (again)

Ireland

Norway

Turkey

Latvia

San Marino

Unfortunately, that looks a pretty tough draw. Dont seem to have been rewarded for our 2nd seeding. Norway are always competitive at U21 level and Turkey have to be a decent 4th seed?

J C

sh*te draw. Norway were the top ranked third seeds so we didn't really get any benefit from being second seeds.

You'll probably have Ireland, Norway and Turkey taking points off each other all over the place, so not much chance of getting one of the three automatic second place qualification places even if we do manage to come second in the group.

Brutal 

Its not like we have a good coach either to outsmart the opposition.

Brutal draw. I am sure this will be painful viewing.

Turkey have a lot of nice players coming through.

I still find it perplexing Crawford got another go.

It really was some of the worst footaball I watched recently

 It would not shock me if we came 4th here.

Crawford would probably struggle to hold down a job in the league of Ireland. I don't really get how we place so little prestige in our 21's team.

Spain and England's managers were both promoted to the senior role, as was Kenny. If the association can't see a 21's manager potentially taking the role he should not get the 21's job. Do they think Crawford is viable for the top job?

The problem is with Crawford he will play for results rather than try to develop players/system.

Like Ireland, Italy, Norway and Turkey fast track their best teenage talents.

Italy have already given senior caps to players like Scalvini (19), Miretti (19), Gnonto (19) and Parfundi (16).

Arda Güler (17) is a Turkey senior international.

We could play the likes of Bazunu, Omobamidele, and Ferguson. But won't, as they're already senior internationals.

I agree with Nialler though, watching JC's 21's is a slog and unnecessarily so.
I won't forgive him for ceeding all initiative to Israel in that 2nd leg.
We did the same v's Sweden and smashed & grabbed the win, but the same negative approach ran aground in Israel.
Still, I expect he'll try it again in this campaign, likely to our detriment.

The two best Norway U21 talents are probably Kristian Arnstad (19, Anderlecht) and Oscar Bobb (19, Man City).

So who are our best prospects?

Sure, Ferguson, but he's gone up.
Hodge then, I'd say, but he may get promoted out of this squad.

Then we're looking at the likes of Cannon, Odubeko, Armstrong, Costelloe and Garcia-McNulty who would be playing regular enough men's football.
Or some at least.

Others like Adaramola, Lawal, OkoFlex, Moran, O'Neill, Ebosele, Roughan etc. could be decent (and we have high hopes for some, Moran especially) but don't play senior football as yet, so we can call them mostly untested.

Then again, I'd expect Norway's squad to be full of the same type of player.

Looking at Greenie's list of potential squad members, we should not be fearing anyone in this competition bar Italy, who we'll again be lucky to get anything from, as they seem a league above us at this level consistently.

Good point about Roughan.

I was gonna mention Parrott.  It would be a big story were he to drop back.

Connolly set a precendent, and it should be a thing we do more regularly.

Interesting to see what happens come the June window if Troy is still only a bit-part at PNE.
In fact, he's an outsider for next month's senior squad as things stand, but surely he won't join up with the 21's if they only have a friendly in March.

Also little indication that Cannon is ahead of Parrott yet. In 6/7 games time if he’s still starting ahead of Parrott fair enough! Troy couldn’t play last weekend and is only back from injury.

Given Connolly's start at Hull, I wouldnt be at all surprised to see him included at Troy's expense if he can maintain that form. Despite all the crap on here, he dropped down to the U21s at the management's behest and has now got himself a move which will allow direct comparison with the other eligible attacking players. IMO Parrott will have to at the very least get back to starting regularly at PNE to merit inclusion. Leaving Connolly aside, Idah is back fit again and like it or not Hogan and Keane are still the two best performing eligible strikers in the Championship.

Then you have Kenny, who will be right back in the frame if he recovers the form from before the Celtic jaunt.

Kavanagh has just sealed another L2 loan and could build on the first one to play well enough in that league to stake a claim.

Emakhu not in the picture as things stand.

Tack on the wide-attackers like Costelloe, O'Neill (a squad favourite), OkoFlex and Springett and there's too many players and not enough squad-spaces so some will be left out (I suspect OkoFlex for one).

So plenty of options before coinsidering anyone dropping back from the seniors.

compiled this list of eligible players for the championship, all born on or after 1st January 2002

http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=7904081644643713672" rel="nofollow - http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=7904081644643713672

Don’t disagree with the playing regularly part but for me if Troy is playing regularly he will maintain his place in the squad. It’s what I think Kenny will do anyways. Wouldn’t be shocked if he added Connolly as a 6th attacker rather then not bring the 5 I mentioned above if Connolly goes on a decent run. 

Ogbene can always be utilised as a wing back option if stuck. One or two players bound to be injured and there is no guarantee Ferguson will make it yet. 

Ya think?

I'd take it over this group:

England

Serbia

Ukraine

Azerbaijan

Luxembourg

N.Ireland

Nialler wrote: Spain and England's managers were both promoted to the senior role, as was Kenny.

Ian Baraclough from NI's U-21's too. Though he wasn't terrible (imo), he wasn't up to it, either.

Well in that group we’d replace Serbia so the group doesn’t look too bad then. Wales and Northern Ireland must be the two teams in Europe with the biggest gap between their senior and u21 rankings? A function of v small player pools I guess, but pretty worrying for the future for both.

As second seeds that group would have been considerably better than ours overall, likely a straight shootout with Serbia for second place and plenty of points to be picked up from the three lower ranked seeds, so if we did finish second then a good chance of an automatic qualification place.

That friction seemed to arise from Crawford skipping over Ebosele (playing regularly in the Championship) in favour of lads playing in League 2 (O'Connor, Ferry, Wright, Gilbert. None of them pulling up trees, O'Connor playing as a DM for Tranmere).

So it seems it's less "will Festy want to play", and more "will Crawford actually play him".

Parrott has more than earned his spot in the squad as long as he's fit & playing regularly at club level.

Cannon hasn't even played for our U21s yet, he'll need some impressive rise to jump to the senior squad ahead of Parrott. They're both 2002 born, Parrott is miles ahead.

J89 wrote: 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.

I don't think we'll see Zefi join the U21s this campaign. There's so much attacking competition already and he's only playing U18/U19 for Inter.

Similar with Vata, he would have to get playing regular senior football to push in ahead of the others.

Agree re Vata, Zefi, even Ferrizaj - there are just too many attacking options in the 2002 and 2003 age groups, several of whom are playing senior football already. Best to leave them with the U19s and let them develop in their own time, the 2004 crop looks pretty strong also, so they should have a good U19 campaign ahead of them.

2002 - Burns, Odubeko, Cannon, Sotona, Springett, Costelloe, Duffy, Everitt, Parrott, Okoflex, Ebosele

2003 - Armstrong, Moran, Kenny, Emakhu, Harkin, Kavanagh, Hayes, O'Neill

That's 19 attacking players born in 02 or 03 with a pretty defensive coach overseeing the campaign, there will be a lot of disappointed lads, it's just important that Crawford makes sure he doesnt disillusion the best of them, particularly the dual nationals.

Think there's a game against San Marino missing from that list. Hopefully it's sometime between November 2023 and September 2024 because otherwise there's a 10 month gap between games half way through the group.

At Under 21 level you could have a very different team in September 24 compared to November 23.

Very much a group of two parts, even allowing for that San Marino game in March. We'd probably want to have about 10 points on the board from the five games this autumn, plus three more from San Marino in March.

It's a tough looking run in then in late 2024, I could definitely see the team looking a bit different by then with a few of the 2005 group involved at that stage and some of the 2002s (who would be 22 by then) having either moved up to the seniors or fallen down the order by that point.

We are not madly well stocked in the deeper midfield positions either, will Hodge stay with the U21s at least for the initial 6 months? Killian Phillips and Jack Henry-Francis may be the 2. We have huge depth in terms of wide players, attacking midfielders and strikers in the 02/03 age groups as outlined in previous emails, so much so that the likes of Okoflex, Burns, Kavanagh, Kenny may struggle to make squads let alone the team itself. Amazing when you think Ferguson, Parrott and Ebosele are also eligible (as are Bazunu and Omobamidele). Anyone care to make a stab at a starting XI?

I'd say the team is near impossible to call at this point, there are so many options in some positions and so few in others so it's hard to know.

All the same I'd say any of the 05s that kick on at club level could be involved later in the campaign. The likes of Zefi, Vata and Ferizaj will all be 19 by the time the last four games come around and will be fully finished at Under 19 level. Curtis will be 18, so will TKD (who was born in 2006). Some of those might never make that level but some probably will. 

While there's a lot of players in front of them at the moment, it doesn't take much to jump ahead of loads of them at this age group. While someone like Darragh Burns is a decent player and may be in the team at the start of the group, if a Zefi or a Vata broke through at their clubs they could overtake him in the space of a few weeks with a run of club games. We've seen Parrott and Ferguson play at this age group at 17 so every chance we'll see some 19 year olds from the 2005s I'd say.

1) Keeley 2003

2) Ebosele 2002

3) Adaramola 2003

4) Mac Nulty 2003

5) Lawal 2003

6) Hodge 2002

8) Phillips 2002

10) Moran 2003

7) Armstrong 2003

9) Cannon 2002 

11) O'Neill 2003

That's leaving out lads playing regular mens football like Roughan, Furlong. Odubeko, Burns, Costelloe, Kavanagh, Hayes and Springett leaving aside promising lads at PL and Ch clubs like Okoflex, Mooney, Emakhu, Greenwood and Henry-Francis.

I'm assuming none of Bazunu, Omobamidele, Parrott and Ferguson will be made available.

That seems a decent stab at a team. Only thing I wouldn't be too sure about is whether Crawford's 4-5-1 setup would allow both Cannon and Armstrong to play together, it might need to be one or the other with a Burns or an Oko-flex type coming in as a winger.

I strongly suspect Roughan will get the nod at LB if we play a back 4. If we play a back 5 he might slot in at LCB. Don’t see how he won’t be in the team he is doing good things at Lincoln from a good judge I was talking to recently he might get a transfer to a better club in the next year or two. 

Josh Keeley is one I’m looking forward to seeing step in. No disrespect to Brian Maher but I wasn’t totally convinced by him and he made a howler for the Israeli goal in the play off. 

Wouldn’t be shocked to see Moran and Hodge flirting with senior team involvement by the latter stages of qualification.

I added a few CMs & CBs to the opening post. Just guessing at the names though.

J89 wrote: Dates announced for the upcoming campaign. September 8, 2023 | Ireland U21 v Türkiye U21 September 12, 2023 | Ireland U21 v San Marino U21 October 13, 2023 | Latvia U21 v Ireland U21 November 17, 2023 | Norway U21 v Ireland U21 November 21, 2023 | Ireland U21 v Italy U21 March 22, 2024 | Ireland U21 v San Marino U21 September 6, 2024 | Türkiye U21 v Ireland U21 September 10, 2024 | Ireland U21 v Latvia U21 October 11, 2024 | Ireland U21 v Norway U21 October 15, 2024 | Italy U21 v Ireland U21

I didn't realise the group games would roll all the way through Sept/Oct 2024 (thought it'd finish June '24), so that might well change things a bit in terms of senior call ups and 04/05 lads moving to the U21s.

The senior Nations League games will be Sept, Oct & Nov 2024, & over the next 18 months we'll probably see a good few of the older players retire/be moved on, so there will be opportunities to blood new players.

Coleman will be 36, McClean 35, Stevens 34, Hourihane pushing 34.

Brady, Duffy, Hendrick, Doherty, Egan, Hogan, Christie will all be closer to 33 than 32. Some will probably stay another campaign, but some won't (Christie & Hogan I don't think we'll see again as it is).

Keane would probably be moved on at that point too.

As the U21 lads stand right now, I think Hodge & Ebosele are already on the cusp of the senior squad, if they playing regularly next season especially.

Cannon is playing regularly in the Championship now, could be Hogans replacement over the next 12-18 months.

Moran seems like he's on the cusp of getting more regular minutes for Brighton, if he does we can't ignore him.

Phillips seems like he could progress quickly too.

Oko-Flex is highly rated at West Ham, will likely have another crack at the Championship next season, so he's one to keep an eye on.

So yeah, by Autumn 2024 you could see a few 04/05 lads moved up to the U21s.

I'll have a go. If it's for the Iceland game next month:

                   Cannon

       O'Neill   Moran Costelloe

               Hodge Phillips

Roughan MacNulty Lawal Ebosele

                    Keeley

or

           Cannon Armstrong*

                    Moran

Adaramola Hodge Phillips Ebosele

      Roughan MacNulty Lawal

                    Keeley

*I think Johnny Kenny is a much more natural finisher than Armstrong, but the latter is getting minutes in the Championship.

A couple more names for your opening post

2003

Jamie Egan - Bristol Rovers

Fionn Mooney - Palace

2002

Darragh Burns - MK Dons

Deji Sotona - Burnley

Dylan Duffy - Lincoln

Matt Everitt - Brighton

Ethan Fitzhugh - Leicester

Stephen Negru - Oxford United

Ciaran Gilligan - Burton Albion

I think Armstrong has the pace to play off either flank, I was thinking 4-3-3 with O'Neill and Armstrong either side of Cannon, Hodge holding with Phillips and Moran given licence, but that's all probably too attacking for Crawford. 

In an ideal world we would mirror the 5-3-2 Kenny favours, but the dearth of centre backs kind of militates against that. 

Still U19 eligible and may stay with them for their campaign, although he is the most likely to move up imo!

John Nice wrote: A couple more names for your opening post 2003 Jamie Egan - Bristol Rovers Fionn Mooney - Palace 2002 Darragh Burns - MK Dons Deji Sotona - Burnley Dylan Duffy - Lincoln Matt Everitt - Brighton Ethan Fitzhugh - Leicester Stephen Negru - Oxford United Ciaran Gilligan - Burton Albion

Cheers. I won't include everyone, I'll try to stick with players that have a good chance of getting in. The likes of Everitt & Sotona seems to have barely played any football over the last 2 years, can't see them getting anywhere near these squads.

smart man wrote: Surely former St Pats player James Abankwah will feature in this squad. A lot of people on here seem to have forgotten about him.

I have him listed!

Captaining the U19s at the moment & they have the Elite Round at the end of March (& potential finals in June), but he definitely seems to have a higher ceiling than most of the other CBs from the 02/03 groups. Could easily see him being moved up once the competitive U21 games roll around in September.

He has played RWB a few times for the U19s too, so he can cover that weak spot.

I think Everitt suffered a lt injury/illness and is working his way back. very highly rated at BHA at one point. Burns is surely in contention and the Lincoln move could push Duffy on. Negru and Mooney surely have a chance just cos of their positions. The others fair enough, although you have Giurgi on there who has moved to Longford?

John Nice wrote: I think Everitt suffered a lt injury/illness and is working his way back. very highly rated at BHA at one point. Burns is surely in contention and the Lincoln move could push Duffy on. Negru and Mooney surely have a chance just cos of their positions. The others fair enough, although you have Giurgi on there who has moved to Longford?

Hadn't seen that about Giurgi, he was in just because I was casting around for names and couldn't find much. Moving to Longford though, not a good sign, I'll take him out.

I know Caffrey is more of an AM, too. There just isn't much to pick from at RB/RWB.

Calling up Abankwah or Curtis, or moving one of the Wingers (Costelloe, O'Neill, Oko-Flex) back would seem like the most likely solution.

John Nice wrote: As per Tets on foot.ie, Gabriel Adebambo (2002) made the bench for Stoke in the Championship on Wednesday night, but didnt get on. Might be a lad who will get a chance in midfield, particularly if Hodge and/or Moran move up.

Yeah, I saw that. Don't know if it's because they have injuries or if he's legitimately progressing, hopefully the latter. I put him in anyway.

A few others to consider, all 2003, all defenders

Leigh Kavanagh CB Brighton

Noah Watson CB Palace

Osa Solomon RB Forest

All 3 have been in and around ROI underage squads at some point. Solomon is also eligible for South Africa, but is a right back apparently.

Ryan O'Kane 2003 Dundalk is a good wee player also, but there's loads ahead of him on the flanks

Also, I know Tom Hill (2002) of Liverpool (who is a midfielder but has played RB on occasion) was called up to an Irish training camp. Not sure on his fitness, he had a serious l/t injury a couple of years back, but if he is eligible and he gets fit, he would surely be in the reckoning.

Made the bench for Stoke again on Saturday, unused unfortunately!

John Nice wrote: Oh and Kian Leavy on loan to Shelbourne from Reading is 2002  Ryan O'Kane 2003 Dundalk is a good wee player also, but there's loads ahead of him on the flanks Also, I know Tom Hill (2002) of Liverpool (who is a midfielder but has played RB on occasion) was called up to an Irish training camp. Not sure on his fitness, he had a serious l/t injury a couple of years back, but if he is eligible and he gets fit, he would surely be in the reckoning.

Added in a few of those. F.Clarke looks like he played for Scotland's U21s in September, so I'll leave him out.

We'll have a better idea of the pecking order late next week. Will be interesting to see the first squad of the new campaign.

Cheers, yeah looking forward to squad announcement. A few good goals in loi last night, Leavy, Healy, O'Neill all on the scoresheet!

Lots to talk about here!

Cannon in.
Ebosele in.

Hodge in.

Cannon should be in the seniors.

Would expect Roughan to slot in as a LCB presuming we play with a back 3. Cashin an obvious omission not let go for the friendly or just injured? 

McNulty Cashin Roughan perhaps is what he would go?  

As for Cannon while not in the seniors I’m actually happy he’s selected shows he’s interested in playing for us hadn’t seen an actual indication. If he sticks with us he’s an asset.

Correction Cashin is overage. Thought he was 2002 born. My bad.