Preview: Ireland U21s presented with passable Istanbul test

The Republic of Ireland's pursuit of a first-ever Euro Under-21 finals appearances intensifies over the next six weeks starting with this evening’s crucial clash with Turkey in Istanbul (live on the RTÉ News Channel from 5.40pm).

Jim Crawford’s side have four games to go and the obvious aim is to keep in contention ahead of that final 15 October assignment away to current Group A leaders Italy.

There’s a lot of ball to be played before then though, with the possibility to move back within two points of the Italians, who surprisingly took 35 minutes to break San Marino's resistance on Thursday before hitting seven, up for grabs here with an extra game still to play.

Ireland are chasing their fifth win from seven games having only won more than four games twice previously since first entering qualification at this level in 1988.

The first of those was in 2021 when defeat to Iceland in their penultimate fixture ultimately proved fatal, while they missed out on last year’s tournament – when they won six games from 12 group matches rather than 10 – after a play-off loss to Israel on penalties.

Trips to Turkey rarely bring happy memories – the senior side winning just once in seven visits when John Byrne grabbed half of his four international goals in a Euro 1992 qualifier – but this is a test of the side’s credentials that can be passed.

The hosts have endured a mixed campaign to date, one dominated by late drama.

The first of that arrived in Cork in round one where Zak Gilsenan scored a late penalty to draw Ireland level before Aidomo Emakhu grabbed a last gasp winner to send Turners Cross wild.

Aidomo Emakhu with a late late winner for #IRLU21 at Turner's Cross!