Republic of Ireland Under-21s will take on Iceland in a friendly at Turner’s Cross, Cork on Sunday, March 26 – it has been confirmed. It is the first time in 14 years the Under-21s have played in Cork with Jim Crawford’s team using the friendly as preparation for their upcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification campaign. Their first game of 2023 will see a new generation of Under-21s head to Cork in their first game on Irish soil since almost 7,000 fans packed into Tallaght Stadium for the play-offs with Israel last September. Turner’s Cross has long been a host to Under-21s internationals with Ireland facing some of Europe’s heavyweights such as Germany, England, France and Portugal. Ticket details for the game will be released in due course.
CONFIRMED | Ireland U21s to face Iceland in a friendly in Turner’s Cross 🇮🇪🇮🇸
Here’s all you need to know ⤵️#IRLU21 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) January 31, 2023
This Thursday, Crawford will discover who his U-21s will face in qualification when the draw is made in Nyon, Switzerland. Ireland U21s’ run to a first ever play-off saw them rise to an all-time high place of 19th in the UEFA rankings. Republic of Ireland Under-21s Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “I’m really excited to be bringing a team to Cork and showing our fans the talent that Irish football has to offer. “When you see how much the Cork public came out to watch other Irish international sides and their hometown Cork City you can’t help but be enticed to play a game in what is great city. “We had some amazing games in Tallaght Stadium and the fans in Dublin really got behind us and I have every hope those in Cork and beyond will do just the same. “Iceland will be a tough opponent and like ourselves reached the play-offs in the last campaign. It’s the reason I wanted test ourselves against such quality players and it will make for a fascinating game.”
