'They showed real character': Ireland seal play-off with comeback win over England
Tommy Lonergan of the Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's third goal. Pic: Gerry Scully/Sportsfile
After a fortnight of controversial flashpoints off the pitch for the seniors, Irish football was redeemed by an U21 side beating England for the first time.
A comeback win at a bouncing Turner’s Cross over a team managed by former Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley propels Jim Crawford’s side into Friday’s draw for the Euro play-offs.
Tommy Lonergan, who supplied goals in the wins over Slovakia and Kazakhstan that kept Ireland’s fate within their grasp, bagged a brace before a crowd of 5,427 to ensure they edged Slovakia for the runners-up spot.
England are back-to-back Euro champions and hadn’t lost a qualifier in the competition since 2023.
A two-legged play-off for Ireland looms next month for a first-ever place in the finals, to be co-hosted by Albania and Serbia next year.
Crawford circled the victory over a team valued at €400m as the finest of his five-year spell at the helm.
“We were written off after drawing with Moldova and losing to Andorra earlier in the campaign but I never doubted the players,” the manager said of their sluggish start.
“They took onboard our information, worked hard at their clubs and came into camp in the right shape — because they have to with the way we play.
“They showed real character to come from behind to beat a top team that will probably go on to win the Euros again. One thing for sure is that we’re not far away from them.
“When the goal was conceded, we showed real balls to produce an Irish performance. We weren’t going to sit back, went after them with our press and got our rewards.”
After wrapping up top spot by drawing against Slovakia on Friday, Carsley made wholesale changes by introducing seven newcomers.
That said, such is the depth of his squad that he was able to choose a back five marshalled by Arsenal goalkeeper Tommy Setford behind a defence of Archie Gray from Spurs and two Manchester City players, along with a former one in debutant Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Star quality further up the pitch was provided by Joshua King, Ethan Nwaneri and Tyler Dibling, with the latter puncturing the early buzz around Turner’s Cross by tapping in the eight-minute opener.
It was an unlucky concession by an Ireland side that had dealt with the aerial presence of Southampton star Divin Mubama.
Yet when he dropped deep to receive the ball on the edge of the box, his shot deflected off Jacob Devaney and spun towards the far post where the Everton player ghosted in behind Conor McManus to finish.
With news emerging from Andorra of Slovakia scoring early, Ireland knew a minimum of two goals were required to keep hold of their destiny.
That was a difficult task against the group leaders but a high press encouraged by manager Jim Crawford caused the visitors a deluge of nervous moments.
From one passage of play out from the back on 22 minutes, Devaney nipped in to dispossess. From there, his midfield partner, senior international Rory Finneran, released Lonergan into space on the right and he drilled a low shot into the far corner.
King then twice went close to regaining the lead for England, the Fulham midfielder sidefooting his first effort over the crossbar on 26 minutes before trying the near post, which also veered fractionally off-target.
Chances were so scarce for Ireland that they had to capitalise when they arrived. A replica move from the equaliser allowed them to do so, with England initially pleading for a foul by McManus.
Once the ball broke loose to Trent Kone-Doherty, the Molde winger slalomed up the pitch, awaiting the arrival of McManus on the overlap. The layoff was matched in execution by the finish, as McManus drilled his low inside the near post of Setford.
Ahead at the break, all Ireland required was solidity after the interval but they got more in spades. Noah Jauny’s goal was protected by a resilient defence and Lonergan gobbled up another chance to put the outcome beyond doubt.
That came just past the hour following a Sean Grehan throw that initially fell to Kone-Doherty. Lonergan didn’t wait around, taking the initiative by smashing the loose ball high into the top corner.
England substitutes Divine Mukasa, Tyrique George, and William Lankshear all went close — the latter clipping the post — but Ireland held out to complete their mission.
Carsley admitted qualification in advance curbed had a subconscious impact.
“It was like an FA Cup game, a real physical encounter,” he said.
“Our energy and effort were there but in the back of our minds the job was achieved.
“Ireland blocked a lot of shots and deserve credit for that. Hopefully they get through the playoffs and join us at the finals.”
N Juany; C McCarthy, O Gallagher, S Grehan, A Murphy, C McManus (D Lipsiuc 64); J Devaney, R Finneran; J Mullins, T Kone-Doherty (R Akachukwu 74); T Lonergan (M Noonan 82).
T Setford; A Gray, M Alleyne, J Simpson-Pussy, S Mfuni; S Peck (W Lankshear 69), J King (T George 61); T Dibling, A Cozier-Duberry (H Armstrong 60), E Nwaneri (D Mukasa 46); D Mubama.
Alessandro Dudic (SUI).
5,427.
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