Ireland U-21 European Qualifying Fixtures Announced

The Republic of Ireland U-21’s fixtures for the European Qualifying campaign have been announced. They have been draw in a tough Group F with Italy, Sweden, Montenegro, Luxembourg and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jim Crawford will lead his side in his first full campaign as manager since replacing Stephen Kenny and will be ably assisted by John O’Shea of Reading. Ireland will start off with an away game against Bosnia on September 3rd before travelling to face Luxembourg four days later.

Their first home game arrives on October 8th when they entertain Luxembourg. The qualification campaign concludes on June 14th, 2022 with a game a game against Italy.

Despite avoiding Italy and Sweden early on, Crawford isn’t taking the challenges of Bosnia and Luxembourg lightly.

“It will be a tough start away at Bosnia & Herzegovina, but they are playing in the March and June windows so it gives us a chance to see them. They are a team we haven’t played before at Under-21 level but make no mistake they always have competitive teams.

After Bosnia we travel to Luxembourg and while we got a good look at them last year they had moments in the game where they looked dangerous so we must prepare for the away and home leg of those games. Montenegro will be the second game in the October window and it doesn’t need me to say just how tough of a place it is to go.”