The Republic of Ireland under-21 will face familiar opposition in Euro 2025 qualifying after they were drawn alongside five-time winners Italy in Group A.Norway, Turkey, Latvia and San Marino were also drawn into Group A at Thursday's event in Nyon with the games set to take place between March 2023 and October 2024.Jim Crawford’s side were at an all-time high UEFA ranking of 19th for the draw, ensuring them a second seed spot among the 52 teams."Qualification for the Under-21 European Championship is always a challenge and this is a challenge we're looking forward to," the manager said."These games will be a great opportunity for players to develop and prepare for senior international football.
I look forward to working with them as they will be new generation of Under-21s internationals."Ireland finished second behind Italy in qualification for the 2023 U21 tournament before losing out to Israel after a penalty shoot-out last September.The side will warm up for qualifying with a friendly against Iceland at Turner's Cross as the team return to Cork for the first time in over a decade.The nine group winners and the three best runners-up (not counting results against sixth-placed teams) will qualify directly for the tournament alongside hosts Slovakia.The other six runners-up will play off over two legs for the remaining three finals berths in November 2024.Northern Ireland, meanwhile, have been placed in Group F alongside England, Ukraine, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.The side are on the hunt for a new manager after John Schofield stood down earlier this week.Group A: Italy, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Turkey, Latvia, San MarinoGroup B: Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Hungary, Kazakhstan, MaltaGroup C: Netherlands,