Ireland U21s earn second seeding for Euro qualifiers

Jim Crawford’s side usurped Sweden to claim the runners-up spot in their group behind Italy last year

Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford and Joe Hodge of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA European U21 Championship play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Israel at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

An upturn in results by Ireland’s U21s has earned them a second seeding in Thursday’s draw for the 2025 European qualifiers.

Jim Crawford’s side usurped Sweden to claim the runners-up spot behind Italy last year but missed out on a place in this summer’s finals in Georgia and Romania in cruel fashion. Evan Ferguson and Joe Hodge, both of whom have played in the Premier League this season, were in the side beaten by Israel in a penalty shootout.