Ireland U21 qualifier to be decided in Cork with Finland heading to Turner’s Cross

The Munster FA Turner’s Cross Stadium will host the second of the Republic of Ireland U21s crucial Euro 2027 play-off second leg with Finland.

Jim Crawford’s side are aiming to qualify for their first major tournament after near misses in their last two qualifying cycles and their season will be defined by the game in Cork.

The first leg of their tie with Finland will take place in the Tammelan Stadion in Tampere on Friday, November 13, at 4.15pm Irish time. The return tie at Turner’s Cross is scheduled for November 17 at 5.45pm and both games will be shown live on Virgin Media.

Tickets for the second leg game will go on pre-sale on Thursday with a public sale the day after at Ticketmaster.ie.

Ireland have never played in an U21 European Championship. They qualified for the play-offs for the first time in 2022 and they were denied a place in the tournament finals by Israel, with the team going down on penalties in Tel Aviv with the score 1-1 on aggregate.

Their destiny was in their own hands for a play-off spot for Euro 2025. A dramatic late equaliser for Norway at Turner’s Cross changed course and it meant that the team had to beat Italy on the final day in Trieste.

The Class of 2027 had to overcome a slow start to reach the play-offs, by overturning a five-point deficit to catch up with second-placed Slovakia during the autumn international window. They defeated their Central European rivals 2-0 away from home with Tommy Lonergan and Seán Grehan getting the goals.

The Boys in Green then moved on to a double header in Cork that began with a tricky tie with at Turner’s Cross. It was locked at 3-3 before Lonergan held his composure to convert a penalty into the Shed End at Turner’s Cross in the 86th minute.

Ireland’s campaign came down to a meeting with reigning back-to-back European champions England at Turner’s Cross in front of a sold-out crowd.

The Boys in Green had to make history by defeating their near rivals for the first time in their history.

Tyler Dibling gave the visitors an early lead and Ireland responded with a quick move finished off by Lonergan into the St Anne’s Stand.

The second goal arrived in the 38th minute from a move started by Conor McManus picking the pocket of England on the halfway line. Trent Kone Doherty set the midfielder up for a close-range finish that snuck in at the near post to double Ireland’s advantage.

The win was secured with a stunning Lonergan strike into the Shed End at the start of the second half.

Formidible

Ireland are now aiming to qualify for their first European Championships at a venue where they have never experienced defeat since their return to Cork for a friendly with Iceland in March 2023.

This run includes outings with Italy, Norway, Turkey, England, Kazakhstan, and Andorra over the last three years.

Finland will be of similar quality to Norway and Italy. Their campaign saw them claim a runners-up spot in a group topped by Spain, a side they beat 2-1 in Tampere last September.