Ireland secure European Under-21 playoff spot with stunning victory over England
Ireland's Under-21 football team secured a spot in the European playoffs after a surprise victory against England. The team overcame a difficult start to their campaign to finish second in their group.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Irish youth squad and highlights the competitive nature of European youth football development.
Tommy Lonergan was the two-goal hero as Ireland conquered back-to-back European champions England to secure their berth in next month’s European Under-21 playoffs.
For the Boys in Green, this historic victory in front of 5,427 fans at Turner’s Cross completed a seemingly impossible job.
A 4-0 defeat to Andorra and 1-1 draw with Moldova had left them eight points adrift of Slovakia just last March. But Jim Crawford’s side showed rapid improvement and endless mental strength to win their last four games.
They snapped the already-qualified Young Lions’ 12-game unbeaten streak to finish second ahead of Slovakia on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
They did it with an outstanding display of high pressing, which delivered all three goals.
Since breaking his duck against Slovakia just 11 days ago, Waterford striker Lonergan has netted four times in three games during this window, while Conor McManus grabbed the other.
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