Bosnia test to start Ireland U21's Euro triple header

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s are gearing up for a crucial triple header of games that will shape their European Championships fate, starting tonight at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jim Crawford's side host Bosnia in Tallaght tonight at 7.30pm (live on RTÉ2) in what is a crunch time in their qualifier campaign.

The Boys in Green sit third in the table, although with a game in hand on Sweden in second spot.

Their most recent result was an impressive 2-0 win away to the Swedes in March, Ross Tierney and Tyreik Wright scoring the goals.

The Italians, currently unbeaten, sit top of the table and appear favourites to take the automatic qualifying spot, with Ireland and Sweden locked in battle for the play-off places.

On Bank Holiday Monday, Ireland will again have home advantage when Montenegro visit Tallaght Stadium, before Crawford’s side head to Ascoli where they take on Italy in their final game in Group F on Tuesday, 14 June.

Wolves' Joe Hodge and Crystal Palace's Tayo Adaramola have been called up for the first time, while there are seven League of Ireland players in the squad in Brian Maher, Dawson Devoy, Andy Lyons, Luke McNicholas, David Harrington, Darragh Burns and Liam Kerrigan.

Crawford has confirmed that they would not be released back to their clubs before the Italy game.

Ireland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina away in September, but lost away to Montenegro, so there is expected to be little between the teams over the next two games.

Senior manager Stephen Kenny will be keeping an eye on proceedings from afar with a Nations League contest against Armenia to prepare for, but given his confidence in young players coming through from the Under-21 ranks, Crawford says all the players are keen to showcase their talents to