Jim Crawford says €3m support a 'fantastic start' for football industry boxing above its weight

The Ireland U21 manager, who is preparing for Friday’s visit of Slovakia to Turner’s Cross, feels the government backing will allow a step up in class, creating jobs and laying the foundations for a coordinated player-development structure.

 Manager Jim Crawford and Mason Melia during a Republic of Ireland U21's training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Jim Crawford has hailed the €3m government grant for League of Ireland academies as a “fantastic start” to building a football industry.

The Ireland U21 manager, who is preparing for Friday’s visit of Slovakia to Turner’s Cross, feels that the Boys in Green have been boxing above their weight at underage level.