John Fallon: Chronicles of Ireland and England continue in Walsall

Even at underage level, the Auld Enemy have stood in Ireland's way too many times down the years. Can our future generation pull off another famous victory?

Familiar foes: Ireland U19 manager Tom Mohan will be chasing victory over England in Walsall. Picture:Inpho/Laszlo Geczo

It's the international duel that captivates Irish football like no other, with plenty on the line in the latest chapter of the rivalry against England tonight in Walsall.

The opening qualifier in the elite series of the European Championship can be decisive as the U19s remains the only level within UEFA's ladder where just the seven group winners progress to the finals to join hosts Slovakia. The margin for error is minimal.