Jim Crawford eyes slice of history as Ireland prepare for Italian job

Victory in Ascoli would secure Ireland's U21s top spot in Group F

Jim Crawford: 'It would be fantastic for the players to go to win and get to the first finals.' Picture: Niall Carson/PA 

The town of Ascoli Piceno has, until now, merited the most minor of footnotes in the long history of Irish football. That will change Tuesday afternoon if the Republic of Ireland’s U21s can shock their Italian hosts in their final Euro 2023 Group F qualifier (kick-off 4.30pm).

It was in Ascoli that Liam Brady brought his seven-year Serie A odyssey to a close, the Dubliner’s only campaign with a just-promoted side ending with a more than respectable 12th-place finish and then a return to England with West Ham United.