'A hell of a challenge' ahead of Jim Crawford's U21s as they prepare for Turkey clash

CHALLENGE AHEAD: Manager Jim Crawford during a Republic of Ireland U21 squad announcement at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

So well-stocked with firepower are the Ireland U21s that Jim Crawford could overlook Tom Cannon and Mason Melia for his squad chosen yesterday.

His team are positioned second, in the playoff spot, for the Euro Championships, two points behind leaders Italy with a game in hand.

After the September double-header away to Turkey and home to San Marino, they’ll have Norway and a concluding fixture against the Italians in Trieste over four days in October to complete their mission.

A Turkey win next Friday in Istanbul would catapult them into the mix too but Ireland have their disposal Mark O’Mahony, Sinclair Armstrong and Aidomo Emakhu – all due to grace the Championship this weekend – along with Shamrock Rovers’ Celtic loanee Johnny Kenny and newcomer Franco Umeh.

Cannon has sampled the Premier League and earned his senior debut against Portugal in June. Similar hype has accompanied a younger forward, 16-year-old Mason Melia, but they haven’t made the cut.

“We’re happy with the striker we have,” stressed the U21 boss, noting Cannon’s imminent move from Leicester City.

“Tom Cannon is between clubs, a lot is going on with Tom and hopefully he can get something sorted before the window closes on Friday.

“Mason is a player with enormous potential and his performance for St Pat’s in Europe, for someone so young, was outstanding. Our senior manager Heimir Hallgrimsson was very impressed with him too. You can’t ignore that talent but, for this particular window, he’ll go away with the U19s. We have our riches in attack.” 

Due to Alan Reynolds concentrating solely on his role as Bohemians manager, Crawford has an assistant’s vacancy to fill and has chosen Stephen Rice. He wasn’t required as opposition scout by new senior chief Hallgrimsson and so is rerouted to the underage squad, as will the goalkeeping coach during John O’Shea’s caretaker stint, Rene Gilmartin.

“We need six points from this window,” emphasised Crawford.

“I’m only thinking about Turkey at the minute because they are an excellent team, with quite a few players from the recent Euro finals.

“Kenan Yildiz, who played in our 3-2 home win at Turner’s Cross. has moved to the Turkey seniors and won’t play because of his impressive performances at the Euros.

“It will be a hell of a challenge but this is where you want to be. There is a little bit of edge and pressure to these games.”

Goalkeepers: T Brooks (Gateshead), K Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), J Keeley (Tottenham Hotspur).

Defenders: J Abankwah (Udinese), E Adegboyega (Dundee United, on loan from Norwich City), S Curtis (Peterborough United, on loan from Sheffield United), J Furlong (Wimbledon, on loan from Hull City), A Garcia-MacNulty (PEC Zwolle), A Murphy (Newcastle United), C O’Riordan (Cambridge United, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), S Roughan (Lincoln City).

Midfielders: B Adeeko (Wigan Athletic), M Healy (Royal Francs Borains), J Hodge (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Wolves), A Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), K Phillips (St. Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), R Vata (Watford).

Forwards: S Armstrong (Bristol City), A Emakhu (Millwall), J Kenny (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Celtic), M O’Mahony (Portsmouth, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), O O’Neill (Leyton Orient), A Oko-Flex (FC Zürich), F Umeh (Crystal Palace).

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier (Irish time) 

Friday, September 6: Türkiye v Ireland, Esenir Stadium, Istanbul, Kick-Off 5.45pm.

Tuesday, September 10: Ireland v Latvia, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, Kick-Off 5pm.