Crawford confident 'enormous belief' can help U21s handle hits and Norway

ALL SMILES: Andrew Moran during a Republic of Ireland Under 21 training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Republic of Ireland U21s appreciate the enormity of the task ahead of them. Still, Jim Crawford believes in the enormity of their ability to secure a first-ever European Championship qualification.

The major bump in the road arrived with the announcement that captain Joe Hodge and striker Mason Melia would miss out due to “pre-existing injuries” after being assessed by the Irish medics. Those added to the absences of Bosun Lawal, Zak Gilsenan, Sean Grehan, Conor Carty, and Adam Murphy. Crawford insists enough confidence and talent remain to get the job done.