Kenny gives 10-man Ireland Under-21s win over Iceland

Republic of Ireland Under-21 2-1 Iceland Under-21

Johnny Kenny's 83rd minute goal made sure that the Republic of Ireland Under-21s announced their return to Cork with a come from behind win over Iceland in front of 6,048 spectators at Turner’s Cross.

The sold out crowd saw an action packed first half that included goals from Kristall Mani Ingason and Tom Cannon, and the dismissal of Festy Ebosele after he received two yellow cards in quick succession.

This wasn’t all about the result, it was all about a new group coming together with an eye on the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers that are set to get underway in the autumn.

Jim Crawford started with a back three of Bosun Lawal, Anslemo Garcia MacNulty, and Sean Roughan, and this continued the manager’s tradition of following the template Stephen Kenny has laid out with the senior team.

Everything was going according to plan from the moment the game kicked off as Ireland attacked a St Anne’s End filled with green and white jerseys. Then Kristall Mani Ingason found the top corner and Iceland scored from their very first shot on target.

Instead of stinging the crowd, it roared everyone on, and Ireland equalised just nine minutes later through Tom Cannon. The striker, who is currently on loan at Preston North End from Everton, raced onto a ball over the top that Andy Moran sent over and slotted neatly past the Icelandic goalkeeper.

It was route one football at its finest and Cannon should have got a second after he connected with a through ball from Lawal. His attempt to square it to Ollie O’Neill was intercepted by the Icelandic defence, who brought back three players to cover their lines.

This all happened just as Ireland had to deal with a second yellow card for Ebosele. He