IRELAND’S Under-21s have already equalled their greatest ever points tally in Euro qualification - ahead of next Tuesday’s winner-takes-all clash in Italy.
Their 19 points from nine games so far equals the final tally from the 2021 qualifiers, which saw current boss Jim Crawford take over from Stephen Kenny for the final three matches.
They are both huge improvements on previous campaigns at an age level where Irish sides have always come up short.
Crawford’s kids secured a first ever play-off spot when Sweden failed to beat Italy on Thursday.
But they could yet make the finals without needing to compete in September’s two-legged tie - if they beat the Azzurri in Ascoli next Tuesday.
Ireland’s heroes have already achieved what so many promising teams of the past - under the leadership of managers such as Noel King and Don Givens - have failed to do.
Here’s a look at Ireland’s record in previous campaigns and some of the big-name stars that missed out on European Under-21 qualification.
- 2021: This was as close as Ireland came before the current competition, with still-eligible stars such as Troy Parrott and Adam Idah, and Dara O’Shea missing out on a play-off place by two points.
- 2019: Josh Cullen captained the side as they suffered a 6-0 home defeat to Germany and finished third in the group with four wins out of 10.
- 2017: Despite having Cullen, Aaron Connolly, Alan Browne, Callum O’Dowda, Darragh Lenihan, Jack Byrne and Sean Maguire, Noel King’s side lost six of their 10 games and finished fourth, 11 points off the play-off place.
- 2015: Matt Doherty and Aidan O’Brien scored three goals each in a disastrous campaign that saw Ireland finish second-from-bottom, winning just two of their eight games. Jack Grealish and Shane Duffy also featured.
- 2013: Italy finished in top-spot, six points ahead of third-placed Ireland, whose side included Duffy, Robbie Brady, James Collins and Greg Cunningham. The highlight of that campaign was coming back from 2-0 down to draw with the Azzurri in Sligo, with Brady and Cunningham on the scoresheet.
- 2011: Ireland finished bottom of their group, winning just one of 10 games. The squad included Anthony Stokes, James McCarthy, Conor Hourihan, Alan Judge and Cillian Sheridan.
- 2009: Another wooden spoon, including defeats to an England side with Joe Hart, James Milner and Theo Walcott. Darren Randolph, Darren O’Dea and Stokes featured.
- 2007: Ireland finished behind Belgium in a three-team group.
- 2006: One win in eight games left Don Givens’ side second-from bottom.
- 2004: Not even Jonathan Walters, Noel Hunt, Wes Hoolahan and the late Liam Miller could prevent Ireland from finishing fourth in a five-team group, with two wins in eight games.
- 2002: A third place finish behind Portugal and the Netherlands, with Graham Barrett, Richie Sadlier, Andy Reid, Colin Healy, John O’Shea and Clinton Morrison all featuring.
- 2000: Kevin Kilbane lined out as Ireland finished third behind Croatia and Yugoslavia.
- 1998: Ireland won three of eight games.
- 1996: Two wins and four defeats left the Boys in Green well out of contention.
- 1994 & 1992: Just one win each in these two campaigns.
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