Matt Healy not shying away from the ultimate aim of making history

Next up for Crawford’s charges is a trip to Norway before they welcome the Italians to Turner’s Cross next week.

KEY COG: Matt Healy of Republic of Ireland in action during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Turkey at Turner’s Cross. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The opportunity to be a part of history. It’s a carrot any hungry competitor would bite your hand off for.

That’s the opportunity Jim Crawford’s current crop of Republic of Ireland under-21s have as they look to become the first Irish side to qualify for a major tournament at that particular age group.