Ireland U21s clinch a Euro play-off spot with a superb performance and win over England

Republic Of Ireland 3

England  1

The Republic of Ireland came from behind to defeat England and qualify for the play-offs for Euro 2027 in one of the greatest night's ever seen at the Munster FA Turner’s Cross Stadium on Tuesday.

A sold-out crowd witnessed a classic encounter that opened with Tyler Dibling giving the reigning European champions an early lead and the home side responding with a Tommy Lonergan brace and a solo effort from Conor McManus.

Ireland finish their campaign in second, after starting this international window five points from Slovakia and needing a perfect run through the autumn.

It did not look like this was going to be the case after a Divin Mubama shot deflected to Dibling for a tap in at the back post in the 8th minute.

Sean Grehan tried to respond with a long cross field pass to Cathal McCarthy, a move that ended with a cross going harmlessly out of play.

Their next advance produced the equaliser. Ireland pressed high and won the ball in midfield and quickly broke towards the right flank. 

Rory Finneran got the key pass Lonergan turned that in to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute.

England went up a gear on the restart, which lead to a brace of chances for Josh King that failed to trouble Jauny.

McManus then picked the pocket of the would be scorer on the halfway line. 

The wing-back sent this to an overlapping Doherty who drove this down the left. 

The ball was sent back to McManus for a right legged shot that snuck in at the near post, making it 2-1 in the 38th minute.

England tried to equalise before the break with Mubama drawing Jauny into a reflex save in the dying seconds.

Ireland went for a third goal at the start of the second half, as they looked for some sense of insurance. 

This campaign began with a low right legged McManus strike that rolled agonisingly wide in the 56th minute.

A lull followed. 

Ireland had the ball but rarely threatened. England got it back and lost it under the high press. 

There were flashes, but nothing that really threatened the European champions.

Ireland kept going and out of their persistence came the third goal. 

This one came from a long Grehan throw that fumbled into the path of Lonergan by Doherty for a blistering strike at the Shed End in the 63rd minute.

England went to their bench in a bid to start a comeback and one of their substitutes, William Lankshear, announced his arrival by clipping the back post. 

The rebound went to another new face, Harrison Armstrong, for a shot that hit the side netting.

It was all England after that. Ireland were under siege as the team took a step back defensively.

Jauny produced a string of excellent saves during this period. Slowly the clock counted down. 

Eventually, there was the sweet relief of the full-time whistle and confirmation of a place in the play-offs for Euro 2027.

Republic of Ireland: Noah Jauny; Cathal McCarthy, Oisin Gallagher, Sean Grehan, Alex Murphy, Conor McManus; Rory Finneran, Jacob Devaney, Jamie Mullins, Trent Kone Doherty; Tom Lonergan.

Subs: Darius Lipsiuc for McManus (64); Romeo Akachukwu for Doherty (75), Michael Noonan for Mullins (81), Grady McDonnell for Lonergan (82).

England: Tommy Setford; Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Stephen Mfuni, Max Alleyne, Amario Cozier-Duberry; Josh King, Sydie Peck, Archie Gray; Tyler Dibling, Divin Mubama, Ethan Nwaneri.

Subs: Mukasa Divine for Nwaneri (HT); Harrison Armstrong for King (60), Tyrique George for Cozier-Duberry (60), William Lankshear for Peck (67), Samuel Amo-Ameyaw for Dibling (82).

Referee: Alessandro Dudic (Switzerland).