Evan Ferguson unfazed as the Republic of Ireland travel to Israel for the second leg of crucial play-off

There were few who would have predicted Evan Ferguson and Aaron Connolly to start up front alongside each other during the course of the Under-21 European Championship qualifying campaign.

Ferguson was just 16-years-old when the campaign began whilst Connolly had been quickly promoted to the senior set-up.

Their paths would have crossed however when they were both at Brighton, Ferguson called into the first team for training purposes. Remarkably they had yet to play together at any level until Friday night.

"It was good," said Ferguson.

"I feel like we have got the relationship from training in the past, so it is good to play with him.

"I would have been in training with him before so I know the areas he likes to be in and the areas he likes to go into."

Man of the Match Aaron Connolly says he has rediscovered his love for the game and thinks Ireland will travel to Tel Aviv with lots of confidence #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/tBYUVQNPjX

Connolly earned the player of the match award on Friday night, whilst Ferguson came up with the headed equaliser.

It was Connolly who jinked and weaved his way to winning a corner amidst a clutter of Israeli defenders.

Tyreik Wright delivered the out-swinger which was met plumb by the forehead of Ferguson, who powered it low into the net.

"We had a few corners, so I just said I would try my best to get my head on this one. They were coming and coming, and I just wanted to get my head on one."

WHAT A LEAP Evan Ferguson heads home Tyreik's Wrights's corner to level things up in Tallaght#rtesoccer