Stormy Turner’s Cross clash tests Ireland’s Euro U21 hopes

On 29 September 2026, Ireland faced Kazakhstan in a Euro U21 qualifier at Turner’s Cross under gusty, rain‑laden conditions. The match produced seven goals, with Sam Curtis netting Ireland’s third strike and Tommy Lonergan converting an 86th‑minute penalty to secure the win.

Stormy conditions fuel a frantic game

A yellow‑warning wind and heavy showers turned the pitch into a slippery arena. Early on, Kazakhstan’s Artyom Litosh sprinted past the defence to give his side a three‑minute lead, a record‑fast start that set the tone.

Lonergan’s spot kick clinches victory

Ireland were denied a strong penalty claim earlier, but a soft decision later awarded Tommy Lonergan a spot‑kick. He calmly chipped the ball down the middle in the 86th minute, sealing the win after a tense back‑and‑forth.

Scoring spree and missed chances

Jamie Mullins delivered a low corner that Alex Murphy met with a precise volley, his first goal at this level. Later, Mullins’ second corner found Sam Curtis, whose header deflected past the keeper. Kazakhstan responded through left‑back Ramazan Karimov and captain Sultan Askarov, bringing the score to 3‑3 before Ireland’s late winner.

Implications for the play‑off race

The result lifted Ireland into second place, ahead of Slovakia, with one game still to play. To reach the play‑offs they must either beat England or rely on an Andorran victory over Slovakia. The Slovaks meet Lee Carsley’s table‑toppers on Friday before the final round on 6 October.

Media coverage and extra content

The Soccer section of the LOI’s League of Ireland Upgrade platform highlighted the drama, offering Live Video Review and Podcasts for fans. Extra Football Family stories let readers See More Stories, while Tom O’Halon’s report added depth. Rugby, Golf, Racing, Horse, Boxing, Motorsport, Athletics, NFL and NBA coverage also referenced the match in their weekly round‑ups. Sport coverage also mentioned the match.