Ireland looking to defy the odds again in U17 Euro quarter-final with Spain

The young Boys in Green will be looking to reach the last four, which would also secure a place at the World Cup

LAST EIGHT: Republic of Ireland head coach Colin O'Brien. Pic: David Balogh/Sportsfile

It’s fitting that the FAI have this week completed consultation workshops on football pathways when their route of the U17 Euro hopefuls is so topical.

On Saturday evening in Budapest, the squads of Ireland and Spain will be dominated by home-based talent but it’s a warped similarity, for they operate in different stratospheres.