The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team is a representative team of Irish football players. It is governed by the Football Association of Ireland and represents them at Under-21 level against the national teams of other national associations. The team played its first match in 1978 and has competed in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship since 1988.
History As a European under-21 team, the Republic of Ireland participates in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, which takes place every two years. There is no Under-21 World Cup, although there is an Under-20 World Cup. Ireland did not enter the first five Under-21 Championships, entering for the first time in 1988 but failing to qualify. Ireland have never qualified for the European Under-21 Championships.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship record
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship recordUEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification recordYearRound *1978did not enter––––––1980––––––1982––––––1984––––––1986––––––1988did not qualify4022371990did not enter––––––1992did not qualify6105514 19948116720 1996822479 19988305117 200084221312 20028413107 20048224811 200681251014 2007210121 20098125414 201110145511 201384131510 201582241012 2017104061417 20191042 41215 202110613158 2023126331711 2025105412412 2027To be determined321053Total -147503265189202
*Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
Results and fixtures The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Legend
2025
2026
Staff The Under-21s' management team includes:
PositionNameAppointedHead coach Jim Crawford5 April 2020Assistant coach Paul McShane28 August 2023Goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin24 April 2020Lead Performance Analyst Martin DoyleApril 2020Sports Scientist Paul Walsh18 March 2023Sports Scientist Paul Gavin18 March 2025Chartered Physiotherapist Glauber Barduzzi24 April 2019Athletic Therapist Kieran Murray19 March 2022Doctor Dr Mortimer O'ConnorMarch 2021Kitman John CruddenMay 2023
Players Current squad Players born on or after 1 January 2004 are eligible for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The following players were called up for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group D fixtures against Slovakia, Kazakhstan & England on 25 & 29 September and 6 October 2026.https://www.fai.ie/latest/preview-ireland-mu21-v-kazakhstan-mu21/
Caps and goals updated as of 6 October 2026, after the game vs England.
Recent call-ups The following players have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad and remain eligible:
INJ Withdrew from latest squad due to injury WD Withdrew from latest squad PRE Preliminary squad / standby SUS Player is suspended SEN Player called up to Senior squad
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the senior team.
Records
Top Goals: Kevin Doyle, Robbie Brady & Sinclair Armstrong 7 Goals
Youngest Goal Scorer: Michael Noonan 17 years 01 month 09 days vs Moldova (2025) Biggest Win: 7-0 vs San Marino (2024) Biggest Defeat: 0-8 vs Germany (1993) Youngest Player: John Connolly 15 years 03 months 23 days vs Albania (1992)
References
External links U21 page on FAI website UEFA Under-21 website Full U21 results