The Republic of Ireland U-21s primed to push on towards the senior scene over the next 12-24 months

While there may have been tears shed in the dressing room after the controversial late equaliser scored by Norway at Turners Cross last Friday, the Republic of Ireland Under-21s have no time to linger on any sense of injustice in Italy this evening.

Jim Crawford's side may have missed out on guaranteeing a European Championship qualifying play-off place with a match to spare but opportunity still knocks in Trieste four days on.

Should they pull off a famous away feat by beating current group leaders Italy, then the Boys in Green would qualify automatically on head-to-head results for a first ever European Under-21 Championship appearance by an Irish team.

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However, a defeat would leave them vulnerable to missing out on the consolation of a play-off altogether.

Whether they qualify or not, the main purpose of the U-21s is to bring through potential options for the senior team and a number of players have stood out during the campaign.

Attacking midfielder Andrew Moran, who's on loan at Stoke from Brighton, and Bristol City striker Sinclair Armstrong have already been capped once each by Ireland at full international level.

But they, along with that age-group's captain Joe Hodge, aren't the only ones that Heimir Hallgrimsson will be keeping an eye on, according to former Ireland U-17s, Sheffield Wednesday and UCD midfielder Paul Corry.

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