Lonergan with debut goal as Ireland revive Euro U21 hopes
Ireland's U21 football team secured a 2-0 victory over Slovakia, keeping their European Championship qualification hopes alive. The win was bolstered by a debut goal from Tommy Lonergan and a crucial double penalty save by goalkeeper Noah Jauny.
Why it matters
Highlights a significant result for Irish youth football development and their path to a major tournament.
A must-win mission to Kosice for Ireland delivered the required result as they kept their European U21 Championship qualification hopes alive and kicking
Tommy Lonergan scored his first goal at this level in the second minute before Seán Grehan's 57th-minute header gave Jim Crawford's side a vital cushion as they secured a deserved 2-0 win over Slovakia.
Goalkeeper Noah Jauny also produced a remarkable double save from a penalty to preserve Ireland’s first-half lead and helped secure a result that moves them to within two points of the second-placed Slovaks.
Ireland now face Kazakhstan at Turner’s Cross on Tuesday night knowing another victory would further strengthen their bid for a play-off place behind table-toppers England with two games remaining.
The visitors dominated for long periods after making the ideal start when Trent Kone-Doherty cut inside and showed excellent awareness to find the advancing Lonergan with a delicious left-footed cross.
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