Ireland U21s return to Cork for crucial Euro qualifier with Norway

The Republic of Ireland U21s will play their do-or-die Euro 2025 qualifier with Norway in Turner’s Cross on Friday, October 11 after a brief stint in Dublin towards the end of their campaign.

There were questions about the team’s feature on Leeside after a fixture with Latvia got moved to Tallaght Stadium, and the answer is a return to the city that saw victories against Turkey and San Marino last year.

Jim Crawford and his players will now face Norway knowing that three points will seal a play-off spot, and set up a winner-takes-all game with Italy. 

Should the Boys in Green win both fixtures, they will play at the U21 European Championships for the first time.

INFLUENCE

The team went close last time out and they were beaten in the play-off round by Israel on penalties in Tel Aviv. There was a strong Cork influence in that squad, and that trend has continued with Matt Healy and Mark O’Mahony’s involvement.

The pair featured in games against Turkey and Latvia last September and they helped the U21s take four points. Their most impressive was at the Esenler Stadium in Istanbul as the team navigated the intense heat and Sam Curtis hit the winner in the 84th minute.

The meeting with Latvia in Dublin was an uncomfortable affair for all involved as Sinclair Armstrong’s opener was cancelled out at the end of the first half. The visitors then took the lead and Sean Roughan rescued a point late on. The Republic Ireland will go into the game in Cork with 17 points collected and Norway have 15.

The reverse fixture was held in November 2023 and Crawford’s team went down 3-2 in Drammen. Halvor Rødølen Opsahl gave the hosts the lead and Aidomo Emakhu ensured parity at the end of the first half.

Armstrong made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute and Norway took the three points through late goals from Kristian Arnstad and Lasse Nordås. 

Ireland will go into the game at Turner’s Cross with a strong track record at the venue since their return in March 2023.

That started with a friendly victory over Iceland and it continued in Euro 2025 qualifying. Ireland faced Turkey first at Turner’s Cross and a classic game finished 3-2 to the Boys in Green.

Emakhu got a dramatic injury-time winner into the Shed End and that was followed by a comfortable win over San Marino. Roco Vatta scored a brace that night and an own goal made sure it was three wins from three in Cork.

The Republic of Ireland U21s played Italy in Cork last November and they led 2-1 going into injury time. Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto rescued a point for five-time European champions at the death.