'We practised penalties every day' but Jim Crawford still experienced Ireland shootout pain

Crawford and the Republic of Ireland U21's saw their hopes of reaching Euro 2023 ended by Israel in a shoot-out.

SPOT OF BOTHER: Republic of Ireland Under 21 Head Coach Jim Crawford. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott.

Before the Republic of Ireland senior side’s heartbreak in Prague on Thursday came huge disappointment for the U21s as they were held at home to Moldova.

That hammer blow to their hopes of reaching the 2027 Under-21 European Championship finals was temporarily eased shortly after full time when they learned that Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men were leading 2-0 in the Czech capital.