Ireland Under-21s aim to take step towards Euro 2027 in tricky first leg against Finland

After such a rip-roaring conclusion to the group stages, Jim Crawford and his young players will hope there is still scope for more drama as Ireland’s push for a first European Championship finals reaches the make-or-break stage.

A year ago, this under-21 side was thumped 4-0 away to Andorra and it was difficult to see any way back in the race for Euro 2027. It really did look like a lost cause when they followed up with a 1-1 home draw against Moldova in their next game, four months later.