Irish U21 boss Crawford hails historic Euro play‑off after England win

€400 million – that is the valuation Jim Crawford was asked about when his Ireland U21 side sealed a Euro play‑off with a 3‑1 victory over back‑to‑back champions England at Turner’s Cross on 6 October 2026. The win, confirmed just after 10.29 pm, marked a dramatic reversal from a 4‑0 loss to Andorra the previous November.

From Andorra defeat to English triumph

Crawford praised his players, saying “they were outstanding to a man tonight – one hell of a performance”. He noted the team’s ability to recover after going 1‑0 down and then scoring three “unbelievable goals” against a side expected to win the European Championships.

Crawford’s confidence in the squad’s value

When pressed about England’s €400 million price‑tag, Crawford quipped, “If they’re worth €400m, we must be worth a hell of a lot more than that”. He added that the Irish side’s intensity and pressure proved decisive, even against a squad “who will probably go on and win the European Championships”.

Pressing intensity defined the Irish identity

“That’s our identity – it’s the Irish way to be”, Crawford asserted, highlighting the relentless press that forced England into mistakes. He recalled earlier fixtures, noting that “Slovakia dropped off them and gave them opportunities to control the game, but that wouldn’t be us”. The manager also referenced the team’s performance in Birmingham, stressing that the same aggressive approach was maintained at Turner’s Cross.

Young talent drives the resurgence

The squad’s youth was evident, with midfielders Jacob Devaney and Rory Finneran earmarked for the next campaign. Crawford also mentioned Cathal McCarthy on the right wing‑back, Michael Noonan, Grady McDonnell and Romeo Akackukwu as players adding intensity and desire. Two‑goal hero Tommy Lonergan, described as “exceptional” and “a bubbly character”, was praised for showing he can play at a higher level after a “fantastic season”.

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Future outlook for the Irish side

Crawford concluded that the squad’s recent form shows “people wrote us off, they certainly wrote us off, but we’ve showed them now that we’re a decent team”. He believes the young core can return for the next campaign, aiming to build on the intensity that secured the play‑off berth.