Jim Crawford's Republic of Ireland U21 side are within touching distance of the 2023 UEFA European Championships and a win over Italy on Tuesday will see them top their group. Ireland have already guaranteed a playoff spot for the Euros after four victories on the bounce.
It's an Irish side that is packed full of talent and potential, with the likes of Will Smallbone, Tyreik Wright, Gavin Kilkenny and Conor Coventry all integral parts of the side.
Ireland's strength in depth at this age group is remarkable. Stephen Kenny named six players who are still eligible to play for the U21s in his squad for this month's Nations League fixtures. If Ireland were to field an XI of all its U21 qualified players, it likely be one of the stronger sides in next year's Euros.
However, when speaking to the media from Italy today, Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford said that they have not discussed the possibility of bringing players down from the senior team and that he is happy with the group of players that have led him to at least the playoffs so far.
Nothing's been said to me, no discussions had. For me the way I see it now, the group that got us to this position now, second place in the group table you know, deserve a chance and each and every one of them have been excellent in everything they've done in regards to team meetings, training sessions, performances when it mattered.
Crawford also spoke about his desire to keep bringing players from the younger age groups through the ranks:
You know for me there's a little bit of bigger thinking on our part. You know we brought in Tayo (Adaramola) from Crystal Palace, Joe Hodge and Darragh Burns and Sinclair Armstrong like younger lads, to give them a taste of you know competitive football, albeit you know, the environments, the way we train, what's expected of them. So they may be players when the finals come next June that, you know, they could play a huge role in that.
So with regards to players coming back, I don't know but certainly we've got some really good players that are coming from behind with Tom Mohan's squad, they're in England recently so we're in good shape.
What players are still eligible to play for the U21s?
To be available and eligible to play for the U21s, players must be born on or after the 1st of January 2000.
Here's nine players that have been involved with the senior squad in recent times that can still line out for the U21s.
Gavin Bazunu
Bazunu has established himself as Ireland's number 1 goalkeeper despite competition from Caoimhín Kelleher and Mark Travers. From saving Cristiano Ronaldo's spotkick in the heartbreaking defeat to Portugal last September to producing one of the best saves ever seen between the sticks for Ireland against Luxembourg, the Manchester City man has shown his potential in abundance.
Bazunu spent last season on loan with Portsmouth in League One and has been heavily linked with a move to Southampton this summer.
Another angle of that Bazunu save, it gets better with every watch 😅#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #LUXIRLpic.twitter.com/mP73YqQgim
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 14, 2021
Nathan Collins
Perhaps Ireland's stand -out performer from the past three Nations League games, the 21-year-old centre back has shown that he has everything that it takes to be a key part of the Irish senior side for the next decade. Despite disappointing defeats to Ukraine and Armenia, the Burnley centre half has still impressed with his defensive attributes and his ability on the ball.
Jason Knight
Knight is another player that has impressed since being called into the senior set up. The Derby County playmaker has the potential to fill that creative midfielder role in the Irish team that we have lacked since Wes Hoolohan. The former Cabinteely man has earned 13 caps for his country, scoring one goal so far.
Troy Parrott
The Spurs striker scored his fourth international goal during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Scotland and has been a name on everyone's lips since progressing through the youth ranks for Ireland. Parrott has struggled for regular game time at Tottenham and was sent out on loan to MK Dons last season where he scored 10 times in 39 starts.
Parrott scored four goals in his five games for the Ireland U21s.
Read Here: The Ireland U21 Team That Stunned Italy In 2012: Where Are They Now?
Michael Obafemi
The man of the moment. Almost four years since making his first senior cap for Ireland, Michael Obafemi started for the first time in an Irish senior jersey and what an impact he made. Obafemi assisted Troy Parrott for Ireland's second goal against Scotland with an unbelievable pass before rifling home from 25 yards, leading to him being named man of the match.
IT’S A SECOND FOR @FAIreland 🇮🇪@troyparrott9 doubles Rep. of Ireland’s lead over Scotland! ⚽⚽
Michael Obafemi with the assist 🔥
#IRLSCO pic.twitter.com/pnL5lUHSlY— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 11, 2022
Just incredible from Michael Obafemi to put the cherry on top of an emphatic win for Ireland over Scotland! 🚀pic.twitter.com/ms8s2dEDG8
— 90min (@90min_Football) June 11, 2022
Festy Ebosele
Ebosele is another highly rated Irish youngster that has been recently called up to the senior side for the very first time. The winger/ wing back impressed during his campaign with Derby County in the championship, leading to Udinese capturing his signature ahead of the new season. When Ebosele was left out of the matchday squad Saturday, there were a number of calls for him to link up with the U21s
Aaron Connolly
Connolly burst onto the season during the 2019/20 Premier League season, netting a brace against Spurs in a 3-1 victory for Brighton. The following day Connolly was called up into Mick McCarthy's squad where he made his debut off the bench against Georgia. Since then, the pacey forward has struggled to cement a place in Brighton's starting XI and was loaned out to Middlesbrough in January.
Andrew Omobamidele
Omobamidele made his Ireland debut last September coming on as a first half substitute against Portugal and impressed from his very first touch. Omobamidele also played a key role in a number of Norwich's opening Premier League fixtures last year and scored his first top flight goal against Leeds in October.
Adam Idah
Adam Idah has made 13 caps for Ireland and was given his debut like many of the others on the list by Stephen Kenny. Idah scored once for Norwich during his 17 appearances for the Canaries last season but an injury back in February ruled the Cork native out of the remainder of Norwich's fixtures as well as this international window.
SEE ALSO: The Ireland U21 Team That Stunned Italy In 2012: Where Are They Now?
